Time to Help a Friend
Jill Heinerth writes:
“Many of you will know cave explorer Jim Coke. He is perhaps the most prolific cartographer in our community. If you have ever dived in the caves of the Yucatan, there is no doubt you have benefited from his hard work. He is head of the Quintana Roo Speleological Surveyand continues his exploration and mapping to this day. Well, almost.
“Jim is ill and needs our help. He has a case of histoplasmosis, a bat-borne respiratory affliction. It has been very touch-and-go in the last week as he has been in ICU in Merida on a respirator. Things are improving, but he will need our assistance.
“Dear friends Kay and Gary Walten (www.locogringo.com) are at his side and are looking for a charitable organization that is able to set up collection of donations. Kay and Gary recently collected significant funds to assist in hurricane relief, but were personally taxed on the donations, since they are not a registered charity. Once a collection depot has been determined, I will post the info for people who are able to help out. Kay has set up a blog so that friends can monitor his progress.”
Update
Jim has been moved by his family to a facility in Ohio. His condition continues to improve; however, he faces possibly lengthy rehabilitative therapy and will not be able to work for a while
The NSS-CDS has established a fund where members and others can contribute to Jim’s recovery. You can make your donation at the CDS Web Store.