Dr. Katey Einterz Owen is the director for Neglected Tropical Diseases for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, but in 1987, she was Dr. Ellen Einterz’ younger sister.

Katey shared a letter from Ellen, who was living and working in Nigeria, with her high school class. The moving letter described how a young child had died because of a lack of an oxygen tank. Her teacher, Marty Moore, was so moved that he donated money for the purchase of a tank.

Through fate and luck, this event led Moore to underwrite the exploratory trip for four physicians that led to the AMPATH partnership.

Watch one more example of how one gift can ripple across the world.