PAYNESVILLE, LIBERIA - OCTOBER 12: A mother and child put their handprints on a piece of artwork made by outgoing Ebola survivors from the Doctors Without Borders (MSF), treatment center on October 12, 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia. Roughly 40 percent of people who come down with Ebola survive. According to the World Health Organization, the Ebola epidemic has killed more than 4,000 people in West Africa. John Moore/Getty Images Ebola is a terrible disease, and in West Africa, where the virus is still spreading rapidly, things are worse than ever.

Even though there is no cure for Ebola, it's important to remember that people do survive. With better access to treatment, especially in the earliest stages of the disease, many more will live through the epidemic.

Survivors face challenges of their own. They are frequently shunned by communities that fear Ebola, and many have lost family and friends to the virus.

But survivors might also be the key to stopping Ebola.

Experimental treatments using antibodies from survivors' blood will soon be available and may help others live through the ordeal. Some patients have already receive blood transfusions from survivors. That same blood could play an important role in vaccine development.

Because survivors are immune to the virus once they have fought it off, some of those who overcome Ebola are also joining the fight against the disease by training as healthcare workers. They will be essential in the weeks and months to come.

We have collected some images that show both the joy of those who survive and their sadness as they reflect on the loved ones they have lost.