What Really Matters

Apr 27, 2015

The news of the earthquake in Nepal is shocking and heart-wrenching. When people are dealing with life-threatening devastation — loved ones lost and homes destroyed — it really makes us pause and put things in proper perspective. All this human suffering makes talk about megabytes per second or IOPS seem so insignificant. Our hearts go to those who are affected by the calamity.

Even though Cirrus Data is still a very small company, we want to help. To that end, our CEO, Wayne Lam, has offered to match individual donations from Cirrus Data Solutions, Inc. employees, up to $100 each, to recognized charities providing relief specifically designated to support those affected by the Nepal earthquake. Hopefully our small effort can help to bring some comfort to ease the suffering.

Here are 7 vetted charities doing relief work following the earthquake:
http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-04-25/how-help-nepal-7-vetted-charities-doing-relief-work-following-earthquake

I personally selected Direct Relief.

I always feel lucky that I am living in this prosperous great country, and on geologically stable Long Island (at least for this moment in geological time). It is difficult to imagine the misery that people in Kathmandu and other affected areas are going through. While we watch this nightmare unfold in the comfort of our own homes, from TV or the Internet, the least we can do is to donate to reputable charity organizations who are assisting with the relief effort. I understand that we tend to just react to media reporting, and ignore other things that are not covered by major news outlets, but if we all can just do a little for the things that we *are* aware of, even just a small gesture of compassion toward our fellow humans can make a difference. It is the good intentions and general goodwill that will create a better world. After all — we, ourselves and our children are the beneficiaries of a better world where the well being of all sentient beings flourishes.

And that’s what really matters.

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About the Author:

Wai Lam

Before joining Cirrus Data Solutions, Wai co-founded FalconStor Software in 2000, where he served as CTO and VP of Engineering. Wai was the chief architect, holding 18 of the 21 FalconStor patents. His inventions and innovations include many of industry’s “firsts,” in areas of advanced storage virtualization, data protection, and disaster recovery. Wai received a MSEE from UCLA, 1984, and BSEE from SUNY Stony Brook, 1982. He was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Stony Brook in 2008.