WARRENSBURG, Mo. — More than 2,000 people in the African nation of Liberia have died of Ebola. They include relatives of a Warrensburg woman. Edna Nimley is trying to prevent more deaths.
Even though she was born and raised in the Kansas City area, Nimley, a certified nursing assistant, has many relatives in Liberia. She says at least seven have died of Ebola. Last week, Nimley spoke with her grandmother in the African nation.
“She’s terrified for her life,” said Nimley.
Her aunt is among those gone. She died just three days after falling ill.
“She had already had some heart issue, so that had already made her immune system low,” said Nimley.
Her grandmother was unable to visit her aunt for fear she’d get the virus.
“It really broke my grandmother’s heart to not be able to see her daughter as she passed away,” she said.
Nimley says her relatives and their neighbors lack simple items to protect them from Ebola, which is spread through direct contact with blood or other body fluids. Things we take for granted such as gloves, masks and hand sanitizer aren’t available.
“It’s like how can you prepare for the worst when you don’t have anything to be able to keep you from that,” she said.
Nimley and her employer in Warrensburg, Harmony Gardens, have started collecting donations. She hopes to send them to Liberia at the end of the month. Her boss told her Monday that the company will help with the cost of shipping.
“Thank you,” Nimley said as she slumped over a table in tears.
She’s intent on preventing more grief for her family and others in a faraway land. Nimley says by stopping the spread in Liberia, we’re protecting ourselves since people won’t be infected there and travel here.
Monetary donations can be sent to: Harmony Gardens, 503 Burkarth Road, Warrensburg, MO 64093 Please put “For Liberia” in the memo line of the check. Donations of gloves, masks and hand sanitizer can be delivered to that address.