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~ City of ruphle... One year ago, a devastating earthquake rocked Haiti... local nurse Kim McCann recalls her experiences after arriving to help the suffering On January 12, 2010 a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake shook Haiti to its very core... reducing this city of millions to a mass of rubble and broken bodies. More than 230,000 people died during the quake, with another 300,000 injured. More than one million people became homeless instantaneously. As graphic im- ages of human suffering streamed through television sets everywhere, local nurse Kim McCann had an spears pene for the first time in her life a strong inner voice that said “you need to go to Hi Kim, a palliative care nurse and certified fitness instructor, had never imagined being immersed in the quagmire of Haiti. For a moment she questioned her sanity, but knew she had to push herself out of her com- fort zone to do a greater good. “I was absolutely terrified...petrified. Thave a phobia against flying, can’t cope with heat and knew I was putting my life on the line for this mission” states Kim, her words _ thick with conviction. But the voice never wavered, driving her to search for a way to become involved... a way to help the helpless. Her warmth, humour and positive attitude endears her to her terminally ill patients. “I can talk easily about death.. Iam com- fortable in these types of situations”. Kim herself is also a cancer survivor, having beaten melanoma when she was just fourteen ~ years old. Clearly, such skills are a gift and her chosen profession a calling; all qualities that would greatly assist her on her journey to Petionville. She shared her inner thoughts with her husband, John, and daughter, Alix. “John was very supportive and encouraged me to do what I needed to do” states Kim. She began surfing the rr web for ways to become involved and discovered the Cana- ¥ dian Medical Assistance Team, a grassroots organization r. of medical professionals dedicated to providing care and Photo by J. Peter Hvidsten