Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach has launched a year-long campaign to prevent the spread of Ebola in West Africa.

Mission Outreach hospital partners responded with supply donations, and individuals and organizations are rallying to raise $250,000 to send eight, 40-foot shipping containers to the continent. The first container was loaded Nov. 20 at the warehouse in Springfield.

"This is a demonstration of the heart of mission outreach which is relationships," said Georgia Winson, executive director. "The relationship we have with our heavenly Father, a relationship with God and his call for us to be good to one another."

The Center for Disease Control predicts that the number of people infected could rise to between 550,000 and 1.4 million by January if there are no additional interventions. Ten percent of those who have died from the virus are healthcare workers and the lack of personal protective equipment is putting these people at risk, with many no longer willing to work in healthcare settings. Personal protective equipment remains essential to preventing the spread of the deadly virus. The outbreak is the largest in history and the first in West Africa. The World Health Organization predicts that the virus will continue to accelerate before it is under control. Although the U.S. has initiated relief efforts, more help is needed.

Winson noted that Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, a ministry of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, works with some 60 hospitals to respond to the sick, poor and needy through a medical equipment and supply recovery and distribution program and education and awareness opportunities in more than 85 nations worldwide. More information is available to www.mission-outreach.org.