Dear friends –

While the mission in Ukraine ended in early October, Emily and I are just now making the symbolic move from “eastern” Europe to “western,” as we departed Budapest for Frankfurt.  Tomorrow we will say goodbye to Europe for now and make the trip home to Denver.  Thanks to you enabling our work in Ukraine, we made a strategic partnership with an organization called Ethos Solutions Philanthropic, whose mission is to collect data and learn lessons from how to improve tactical medicine. It was through this partnership that I had the chance to present our initial findings, as well as an overview of Força’s work, at a NATO Medical Lessons Learned conference at the beginning of the week in Budapest (while Emily did some truly remarkable sightseeing – I remain a touch jealous).  As I told the audience there, when we left for Ukraine about eight weeks ago, I never imagined I would have such an incredible opportunity to share our work.  I am so humbled and grateful that our small team – and all of you who stand with us – have earned this place.  Thank you.  

One of the many things that was clear from the conference is that there remains a hunger for ground-truth knowledge from Ukraine.  Unlike previous conflicts, where America had a robust presence and was able to learn and improve our medical practices from experience, there are few direct channels of information back at this time, during Europe’s largest land war since World War II.  Thank you for supporting us to be on the ground, to not just teach our Ukrainian counterparts and friends, but also to help learn and share their experiences.  As I have said in previous emails, without you there is no Força Ukraine effort on the ground, and without that, one less avenue to learn this critical information.  It is all thanks to you that we have the ability to be there, and then to disseminate this information.  Just as there is a direct line from you to end-users in Ukraine, there is also a direct line from you to policy makers and medical professionals who are seeking to improve global medical readiness.  It was remarkable to see the combined efforts and partnership across the NATO nations represented to cooperate and share medical knowledge, and how to best combine efforts in the future.  While often maligned, the existence and expansion of NATO is a testament to the power of reaching across borders in cooperation instead of competition. 

While this is the end of Força’s third mission to Ukraine, we all feel like we are still just getting started.  We have the pathway to pursue some incredible opportunities to continue our work in Ukraine.  Our commitment to Ukraine and its medical providers remains resolute.  I know I say this each time, but with the attrition and the operational tempo, it remains true that the need for continued training for pre-hospital medical providers remains as high as ever.  I am incredibly proud of the team – our work has not come without deep personal and professional sacrifices, but what we started in March 2023 with your support continues to grow, learn, and evolve to provide the best possible training to the people who need it the most.

Domestically, the Força Foundation remains focused on the recovery efforts following hurricanes Helene and Milton and their devastating impacts in our backyard of Western North Carolina.  Many of you who support us at Força Ukraine have also contributed there to help us help our neighbors.  I am incredibly appreciative of your generosity, and for other members of our larger organization who are dedicated to that effort.  The last time I checked, the Foundation had raised over $40,000, all of which is going directly to the recovery of our community. 

As always, thank you for your incredible generosity and support.  While I am looking forward to some time in Colorado and the chance to catch up with our teammates already at home, a big part of my heart stayed in Ukraine as it always does with our teammates there.  I look forward to when I can email you again and let you know that our fourth trip is planned and scheduled, and updating each of you on our progress. 

Until then, thank you.  As I have said previously, I firmly believe that Força means family.  Thank you for being part of our large global family.  To my teammates, thank you for being deeply committed to each other, this team, Ukraine, and ultimately, holding a shared belief about doing good in the world.  You are the backbone of all we do, and I am honored to be a small part of our collective effort. 

With my abiding thanks and appreciation –

Mike