Garth Tohms: A Canadian contributing to the Ebola response

As communications staff at the Canadian Red Cross, we often get the opportunity to meet some of the many amazing individuals who contribute to our humanitarian work worldwide.

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with Garth Tohms, a Canadian Red Cross aid worker who was recently deployed to Sierra Leone to work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on the Ebola response. Garth has been deployed as a technician to work at the Red Cross Ebola Treatment Centre in Kenema, Sierra Leone.

Ebola is a highly contagious virus  that has affected several countries in West Africa. Given the severity of the situation, when myself and some other colleagues met with Garth, we were curious to hear how he and his family prepared for this mission and why he was so passionate to take this opportunity.

“Before every mission I go on, I educate my kids, my partner, and myself,” said Garth. Garth has two children, a 14-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy. “Whenever I deploy, I sit my kids down and tell them where, when, and why I would like to go to on that particular mission. I always try to have them give me the green light before I go.”

Garth also spent time educating himself on the Ebola virus, so he was aware of the risks and the proper procedures to take in order to stay healthy. Prior to his arrival in Sierra Leone, Garth completed further training in Geneva conducted by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which better prepared him for the Ebola response.

As you read headlines in the news about Ebola, many of you are probably reading this post thinking “how could someone put themselves in that type of situation?”

According to Garth, he feels as though it’s his responsibility to take this mission.

"A lot of people wouldn’t take this mission, which is why I feel responsible,” said Garth. “I feel very blessed in my life and I have the opportunity to give something that is urgently needed, so I am responding to that call. It’s such a unique situation; it’s the epitome of what the Red Cross does.”

Garth went on to say that he’s concerned about the situation, but he’s not worried because of the faith he has in the Red Cross.

To follow more of Garth’s mission, you can read his blog where is he sharing updates as often as he can.

Since the Ebola outbreak began in Guinea in March, the Red Cross has expanded its Ebola preparedness and response activities to 12 countries, with programs aimed at helping more than 38 million people.

Canadians can support Red Cross efforts by donating to the West Africa Ebola Fund.