26 Feb Impacting Cancer Locally | February 2019
Posted at 16:03h
in
HOPE
by Dan Moore
This month marks the 71st anniversary of “Cry the Beloved Country” by Alan Paton. I remember this book and the discussions from college. Ironically, I saw this book again this month in a hotel breakfast lounge. One of the concepts I learned from this book and class “Think Globally, Act Locally” still resonates today. Not limited to environmental or architectural planning, this phrase has real application to our industry.
Case in point – I recently met with radiation residents and learned 80% of millennials are concerned with global radiation access issues. (See Rayos Contra Cancer or Radiating Hope ). Our segment of healthcare is attempting to address access across the world. It is exciting to see the deep commitment and passion to serving beyond ourselves!
As I personally and corporately support these endeavors, how can I simultaneously continue to “act locally?” What can I do in my own neighborhood to help improve cancer treatment access? For me, the answer presented itself in Hurricane Michael, which hit the Florida Panhandle last year. With such devastation, the local healthcare infrastructure was shaken. Yet people still have cancer. Hospitals and other employers were unable to keep people employed. People were leaving the area in search of jobs.
RBS is acting locally by subsidizing the salary of one employee at an independent cancer center that was severely impacted by the hurricane. We are paying $30,000 to the center for an individual to stay and help however necessary. This job allowed a family to stay and rebuild in the area with hope for the future. This person is impacting cancer patients through this center. RBS does not have any business relationship with the center nor do we anticipate one in the future, we are helping them with NO strings attached!
While not directly affecting access to radiation treatment in China or Brazil, we are impacting the employee’s world and those who come into contact with the employee. We are helping patients in our own neighborhood; who knows, maybe a patient helped in Panama City will provide resources and capital to help other areas of the world. Vicarious impact is impact all the same.
I want to keep the macro goals and yet not miss micro needs. I am grateful that we can help and I look forward to hearing of your involvement as we work together to help those around us – however you define “around us.”
Grateful,
Dan
