A lot actually.
There are people out there who might imply or blatantly state that I am not capable of rational thought…and they may be correct to a degree. But, I have had a lot on my mind lately.
I’m not sure it would be best to talk about it all in one post, as it could result in quite a long post. But I did want to talk about something in particular.
Recently, a friend posted a link on facebook about a man by the name of Eric De La Cruz. Eric was diagnosed at the age of 22 with dialated cardiomyopathy. At the time of the artical, he was in congestive heart failure and incapable of getting on a heart transplant list because no private insurance will cover him, and medicaid would not cover it – and of course he did not have the money to pay for it himself.
Through his sister’s reaching out to basically everyone, they have come a LONG way in the last week. You can read the updates on the website http://lifegiverproject.org. Some of the updates I read there had angered me beyond description. They got to a point where they had raised over $500,000 and it was STILL not enough to get him on a transplant list. I have no idea how much a heart transplant costs…but half a mil is a LOT.
As of the last update they are just over $870k. That’s a LOT of fundraising for one person in one week. He is now in a hospital where he could potentially get the heart and he is on a transplant list. Good news for him and his family (we hope and pray).
I have had a very hard time with this whole ordeal. Not just because of this one man’s story, but because of all the other stories out there like his. I made a comment to a friend the other day that “I hate money.” I understand that money is necessary in the world we live in these days (well, at least in the society that those of you reading this are a part of…I mean, let’s face it…might not have access to my blog if you’re in a place where you have absolutely no need for money). But I hate that MONEY is such a driving force. I hate that because of money people die. I hate that because of money people suffer. I hate that because of money, people that have a real need for help get ignored.
I know I’m only one person, and I know I can’t save everyone, but I’ve decided that it’s time for me to figure out what I can do to help. I haven’t solved that riddle completely just yet, but I have some ideas I’m working on.
Anyway, that’s what I felt like blogging about tonight. You may hear from more in the future on this subject on this blog, or I may mention some other blog I start for the sole purpose of fulfilling a desire to reach out and help someone. In the mean time, I hope to get back into my normal style of writing and hopefully entertaining my readers.
By the way…the three of you who have already subscribed to my blog since I moved, THANK YOU! If you know who the other 18 readers are that haven’t yet joined us over here…let them know I’ve moved! How sad that I have no idea who my readers are…lol.
Hey there cityville. I really have no idea what plugin I have that shows that. I just now went to the appearance portion of wordpress and just had it as an active widget. I will have to look around and see if I can figure out. If I can, I’ll let you know.
Thanks for stopping by and sorry for taking so long to approve your comment!
hey there superb blog site and design. I’m hoping I am not disturbing you I just wanted to ask just what wordpress plugin you have to show the latest remarks on your blog? I really wish to do something like that for my free apple iphone web page yet I cannot find the plugin or widget for it. Thanks for your time
Dang those blog blanking gremlins! Or maybe I need to update WordPress and all my plugins…I really need to get back into the whole keeping-up-with-my-blog thing. I appreciate the heads-up, Breanne. I’ll see if I can figure it out.
Good Morning just thought i would let you know i also had a issue with this blog appearing blank also. Must be gremlins in the page.
Fuzu – I can’t speak to whether the blog bugged or if you’re an idiot…but I betting on blog bug. I checked the rest of my admin panel and the only comment I have from you is the one I approved just now. Feel free to try again though! I’m now curious what you have to say. Also – a little advice from someone who has had that happen more than once in other places…if I have a particularly long response or post I’m making, I try to make it a habit to open up Word or Notepad or something to save a copy of my text in case something goes awry. Rarely do I need it, and I don’t always do it, but when I don’t and things get lost, I get very upset with myself…lol
Anyway, thanks for stopping by and I hope to hear what it was you had to say that got lost!
Ooh gosh i just typed a big comment and when i hit reply it came up blank! Please tell me it worked properly? I dont want to sumit it again if i dont have to! Either the blog bugged out or i am an idiot, the second option doesnt surprise me lol.
Hey, Phyllis! It’s about time you stopped by!
Thanks for the comment. I think you’re all too correct. Unfortunately, in today’s day and age, too many people are interested in seeing how much they can take their doctor for. Cuz of that, malpractice insurance isn’t just in case a doctor screws up, it is necessary for the doctors to protect themselves against greedy idiots. As a result, the cost of health care is insane. So there you have it…people die because others are greedy.
Let me begin by commenting on your new site… WOW! I love it and have a lot of catching up to do but plan with enthusiasm to do just that.
It’s somewhat ironic that you should mention that 1% of the population for it is precisely that percentage which pays more than half the tax revenue annually. Yes, they could eek out another buck for someone suffering but is that the answer? Eric is only one among legions… a sad commentary on our society… that fall through the cracks of our faulty medical system. We’ve become a monsterous litigious society wherein patient welfare falls to the wayside. The physicians creed used to be “first, do no harm”. I think now it must be, “first, cover your ass.” Though the money involved will either be the problem or the solution, it’s only a bandaid until the social ills that plague the system are righted.
Of course, that’s only my opinion which, with $3.75, will get you a cup of coffee… maybe.
Jessica – you are so right about “could spare one…” – I looked up the population of the United States last week. Then I thought about all the people who wouldn’t have a dollar to spare…babies, children, homeless, those just getting by…I don’t know what the number is, but I abstractly figured “WHAT IF” 99% of the population couldn’t afford to give a dollar. That would leave 1% that could. If 1% of the US population gave 1 dollar to a cause, it would be over $3,000,000. It blew my mind. I figure that 1% has to be a low estimate, but I could be wrong. Now imagine if those 1% were able to give $10 – that increases the funds to $30,000,000.
I have no idea what realistic numbers are, but it turns my stomach to think that people can’t get help they genuinely need all because of money. But now I’m being redundant…sorry to go on. Perhaps you can be one of my advocates when I figure out what my part is gonna be!
I despise all of those things about money, too. I realize that money alone won’t buy happiness, but when you find yourself in a position that you can’t get lifesaving medical care or have to decide between food and medical care or prescriptions, it becomes a whole other issue entirely. I’m glad that they’ve been able to raise the amount that they did in such a short period of time. If everyone who could spare one just gave a dollar to these people in true need, miracles could happen.