Liberian-Americans in Arlington helping Ebola survivors in Africa

Don’t forget about Ebola survivors in Liberia.

That’s the message that Liberian-Americans are emphasizing this weekend with an event aimed at raising money for Ebola survivors in West Africa.

Stanley Gaye, president of the Liberian Community Association Dallas-Fort Worth, said the goal is to help people who are stigmatized by the disease.

Gaye’s group is hosting the free discussion on Ebola survivors with guest speaker Dr. Kent Brantly. The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday at the Arlington Christian Bible Fellowship Church, 1501 S. Center St.

Brantly, who did his residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, received nationwide attention when he fell ill with the disease. As an Ebola survivor, he has also encouraged people to remember the victims in West Africa.

“We need to be careful that our sense of compassion is not replaced by indifference,” Brantly said in December after being awarded a proclamation at a meeting of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court.

The Liberian-Americans plan to open a discussion with the Liberian Health Ministry to see how they can help Ebola survivors.

Gaye said: “Our message is to accept these people. People shouldn’t shun you from society.”

The Ebola outbreak has included 10,042 cases in Liberia, with 4,486 deaths, according to the latest counts posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This report includes material from the Star-Telegram archives.

This story was originally published April 24, 2015 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Liberian-Americans in Arlington helping Ebola survivors in Africa."