Friends Raising Money For RI Journalist Infected With Ebola
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (CBS/AP) — Friends of the freelance journalist from Rhode Island with Ebola are raising money to help pay for what they expect to be more than $500,000 in medical bills.
Ashoka Mukpo, 33, of Providence is being treated at Nebraska Medical Center after contracting Ebola while covering the crisis in Liberia.
He was working for NBC News as a cameraman when he was diagnosed.
NBC and the VICE Media Group say they're coordinating to assist in paying for his medical care. NBC says it wants a solution where he and his family will not have to pay anything.
His friends have set up a Gofundme page that has raised more than $47,000 as of Monday afternoon, with more than 650 people donating.
The fundraising page says that while Mukpo had travelers insurance, it does not cover "catastrophic events or outbreaks" and therefore his treatment will not be covered.
His flight from Liberia to Nebraska cost $150,000 alone.
The hospital has said Mukpo is improving and responding well to treatment.
On Monday, Mukpo tweeted for the first time since he was diagnosed with Ebola.
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Back on twitter, feeling like I'm on the road to good health. Will be posting some thoughts this week. Endless gratitude for the good vibes.