GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Earlier this month, WesternSlopeNow.com was the first to bring you the story of Dr. Barbara Zind, a retired Grand Junction pediatrician and community volunteer. Dr. Zind traveled to Gaza to support the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund and help sick children.

The day Zind arrived, Israel responded to violent Hamas attacks by firing rockets on Gaza. Barbara initially sheltered in her hotel room and then moved to a U.N. compound in Gaza City for three or four days. When Israel ordered an evacuation of the compound, Barbara was forced to move south to yet another U.N. compound about five miles outside of the Rafah border crossing into Egypt.

Doctor Paul Preston, Barbara’s husband, tells WesternSlopeNow.com that he communicates with Barbara through text. He says he texts her about four to five times per day, just checking in on Barbara’s situation and how she’s doing.

Preston and Zind’s friends have implored locals to contact senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper on her behalf. Preston hopes Barbara will return home soon but safety is his biggest concern.

To contact Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper use these links:

https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/contact/