In honor of #givesomethingawayday InterpretCloud sat down with Aubrey Allison, the campaign manager for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), Utah Chapter. She talked with us about LLS’s mission and their largest community campaign Light the Night.

LLS helps fund research on blood cancers as well as provides financial assistance and emotional support through their call center to those who have been affected by a blood cancer. They also help advocate on a local and federal level on behalf of patients so they have access to the treatments getting approved through the FDA.

The Light the Night campaign is a fundraiser that started in 1998 and is a community event. Everyone who attends gets a lantern in one of the following colors: white (survivor of a blood cancer), gold (those remembering a loved one they lost to cancer), and red (supporters). During the opening ceremony, the survivors come to the middle of the crowd to light their lanterns, celebrate their survivorship and courageous fight against cancer and bond with others going through similar situations. Then, the rest of the community with red and gold lanterns light and raise their lantern to show the community support and dedication to ending cancer. The ceremony ends with a beam of white light piercing the night sky. This represents bringing light to the darkness of cancer, after which the community takes their illuminated lanterns to walk a mile in solidarity.

The current pandemic of covid19 has created a difficult time for cancer patients. Cancer patients have a weakened immune system making them more susceptible to other illnesses including this new coronavirus. There is also the additional challenge that if a cancer patient has lost their job or they have a family member who has lost their job, they have potentially lost access to their insurance, making it hard to get the treatment they need.

Currently, LLS is working virtually, and will continue to support patients and their family members through resources and continued campaigns as there is still plenty of volunteer work to do even during this uncertain time. They will not let coronavirus or anything else stand in their way of finding a cure to beat cancer. As Aubrey Allison told us, “Beating cancer is in our blood.”

We are proud to say that our company CEO, David Utrilla, is the 2020 Chair of the LLS Light the Night Campaign.

If you are interested in supporting LLS, Light the Night, or any other campaign please visit the websites below for more information or email ltn.uts@lls.org

https://www.lls.org/utah

https://www.lightthenight.org/utah

Interpretation is a vital aspect of translation services, utilized worldwide for the sake of business, medical practice and legal advice. In the current global climate, face-to-face meetings aren’t always possible, and typically aren’t advised as nations battle the pandemic of COVID-19. In this blog post, we’re going to look at the next best thing: video remote interpreting.

What is video remote interpreting?

In brief, video remote interpreting is the combination of face-to-face and over-the-phone interpreting. It can be done from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

How is it done?

Video remote interpreting utilizes video conferencing software, the same sort that has been used in business for years to enable conference calls between people in different countries. As the practice is becoming more common as a result of social distancing protocols, more people are familiar with the use of video for communication in business. Video remote interpretation works in the same way as a typical meeting – without being restricted to corporate use – and enables meetings between people from different nations who speak different languages.

Why should you use it?

In a normal situation, video remote interpreting allows for remote interpretation where the physical presence of the interpreter isn’t possible. This can be for many reasons, including:

• An unforeseen requirement for an interpreter at short notice
• The need for an interpreter in a remote location
• The budget limitations that make transport costs difficult to justify

With COVID-19 currently placing restrictions on social gatherings of any sort, video remote interpreting enables business to continue as normal in an ambiguous environment, and maintain international relationships without the need for flights and face-to-face meetings.

When is it most often used?

There are several industries that make use of video remote interpreting more than others, historically. Typical uses of video remote interpretation include:

• Medical settings, enabling patients and medical staff to communicate more easily
• Government agencies, enabling international communication; this is vital when communication between different nations can help save lives during a pandemic
• First responders and service workers, enabling them to interact quickly and easily with a stranger who requires assistance

There are no specific industry restrictions. Its advantages can be felt by anyone in need of an interpreter, whether it is urgent or not.

The benefits of video remote interpreting

A professional interpreter will always bring the same basic benefits to a company or an individual, whether they are assisting in-person or interpreting. These focus on a reduction in error in translation, rather than relying on someone who is bilingual but not trained as an interpreter. The benefits vary between industries, but include:

• A reduction in risk to the health or life of patients by correctly communicating symptoms and medical information between patients and medical professionals
• Protection against reputational damage from a misinterpretation
• Protection against misunderstandings in legal discussions, which can have implications including fines and/or imprisonment

Video remote interpreting offers additional benefits, worth noting in a time when it may be the only option available. These include:

• Cost reduction, by removing the requirement for the interpreter or any individuals involved in the process to travel
• Immediacy, by allowing for quicker and easier access to an interpreter without the need for specific travel arrangements
• Anywhere access, through the use of conferencing software

As a result of the outbreak of COVID-19, business is typically slowing down for many people around the world. Where interpretation is required to keep negotiations moving smoothly, video remote interpreting is a cost-effective solution that adheres to the restrictions in place in different countries around the world – including travel restrictions from and into countries affected by COVID-19.

Is video remote interpreting limited to use during the pandemic?

The short answer is no. While the benefits are more greatly felt during the pandemic, the practices and use of video remote interpreting are available year-round. While people adjust to new working conditions, this is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate to decision-makers the practicality and use of video remote interpretation as a means to save time and money in multi-language meetings going forward.

What if you don’t like video conferencing?

During social distancing periods, there aren’t other options available that offer a personal touch in the same way. For those who wish to use an interpreter in a face-to-face scenario, this can be arranged once travel restrictions have been removed, and when businesses can operate as normal.