McNerney Page Aids Medical Missionary

Kristen Crandall, a junior at Cornell University, recently received a $1,250 donation from Lycoming County law firm McNerney, Page, Vanderlin & Hall for her month-long relief mission trip to Kenya.

Over the past six months, Crandall has worked closely with a small group of students who are traveling to Bungoma, Kenya, where they will work with patients who have contracted HIV or AIDS.

From Dec. 15 to Jan. 15, she will serve the assistant director for the project board of Cornell Health International. One of Cornell’s newest student-run organizations, Cornell Health International’s goals focus on global awareness and education for a variety of health-related issues. It has developed a novel program to teach patients with HIV and AIDS proper nutrition, hygiene and food safety so that they can improve their quality of life and perhaps prolong their lives.

Crandall will spend four weeks in Kenya teaching people with HIV how their diet. and lifestyle can impact their weakened immune system and volunteer in local clinics.

Crandall will work with the Kenyan organization’s staff who will house and feed the university group during the month. Each student is responsible to pay the host’s fee for housing, travel expenses and immunizations. Crandall is required to raise the necessary funds.

Crandall graduated in 2004 from Williamsport Area High School and is studying biology.