Nepal earthquake: stories from Alberta

The number of people killedfollowing Saturday's earthquake in Nepal has soared past 4,000and is expected to grow as search andrescue crews make their way through the rubble.

CBC Calgary is hearing from manyAlbertansaffected by the deadly quake either because they are in Nepal or have family living, or visiting,the country.

• Sheri Meyerhoffer, Calgary lawyer in Nepal, uninjured in earthquake
• An Edmonton-Nepalese man is asking the international community to join forces
• Michael Dawe awaits news of partner missing in Nepal

Mt. Everest survivor

Mount Royal University astronomy and physics professorRaphael Slawinskiwas sitting at base camp onthe north sideof Mount Everest, when he felt tremors.

"It was like an avalanche coming without the noise. It was likebeing on the deck of a swaying ship."

Slawinski says he and hisentire team are safe, but he may not beable to continue his climb up the China side of the mountain.

"We were told the season here is probably over. Whether we want to or not, we may not get crack at the mountain anyway," he said.

Either way,Slawinski hopes Calgarianscontinue to support theNepali people through this tragedy.

"It's easy to sympathize with the first week orso, when the media is full of images of what's going on, but their misery will go on, much much longer."

He says the mood at hiscamp is very subdued.

"Alot of the staff, the Sherpas andthe cooking staff are from Nepal and either they've lost someone, or their houses may be damaged or destroyed," he said.

Calgary doctor in Kathmandu Valley

Christine Gibson is a Calgary physician and University of Calgary professorwho travels regularly to Nepal to work with local doctors. She arrived in Patan, a city just outside Kathmandu, three weeks ago.

Gibson says none of the physicians she works with has slept a wink since the first earthquake hit on Saturday.

"They have been camping outdoors in the parking lot with their patients on the tarp. They're just working around the clock here," said the founder ofthenot-for-profit Global FamilyMed Foundation.

"These are people who already have little. Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world but whateveranybody has, they've giving to others," she said.

"What's been so incredible is watching all of these communities fight for each other and take care of each other."

The Calgary Nepalese Community Association is working with the city and police to organize a candlelight vigil in Calgary.

The association is also encouraging people to make donations through various international agencies or NRNA NCC-Canada.The federal government will match all charitable donations over the next month.

Here's a list of international aid organizations taking donations.