Jonathan (pictured with wife Stephanie) is in training for the half-ironman charity race.
Colorado student Jonathan Mazal reveals how he is using Facebook to promote his upcoming triathlon raising funds for radiography worldwide.
If I told you that approximately 60% of all diagnoses require some form of medical imaging for confirmation or to monitor the course of treatment, would you be surprised? Probably not; but what if I added that 60% of the world’s population has little to no access to even basic medical imaging?
With radiology services within a few miles of most of us, it’s easy to take this medical luxury for granted. This is why I chose to support the 'access to imaging' cause and why I am raising funds for, and awareness of, the World Radiography Educational Trust Fund (WRETF).
On 22 August, I will be competing in the Great Buckeye Challenge Half-Ironman race. This triathlon will demand a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run to the finish line.
My hope is that by showing the level of effort I am willing to contribute to bringing awareness of the imaging gap between the industrialised and the developing world, perhaps others will be motivated to support the cause as well – either financially or on a more personal level.
The 'Tri To Image' website was created to provide further insight into the issue, document training efforts, and donate to the cause. However, for those interested in a more active role, the Radiologic Philanthropy Facebook Group is a forum where radiology-related professionals around the world can share personal experiences with radiology-specific humanitarian projects, as well as ideas on other ways we can all contribute both locally and abroad.
It is because of the Rad Phil group that I first came became aware of the WRETF and their efforts to bring quality imaging education to communities in need.
Based in the UK, the Trust collects and distributes donated radiology textbooks and journals, as well as provides advice to radiography programmes in developing nations. Their goal is to ensure that international medical professionals have access to quality radiography training, allowing them to provide crucial imaging services that are in demand by their local communities.
As a student training to be a radiologist assistant (the US equivalent of the consultant radiographer), writing to radiology students in the UK about radiography students in Guatemala, Sri Lanka, and Sierre Leon I can’t help but be in awe of how large the international student radiology community really is. Perhaps even more impressive is the impact we can potentially have on each other’s education, careers, and lives!"
Visit Jonathan's page via the SCoR Facebook Group.
Join now
