Larger Than Life

by Ron Chambless

As former President Reagan was laid to rest this past summer, most Americans, regardless of their political views, took time to pay their respects. His accomplishments and the mark he made on our nation were celebrated. In many ways, President Reagan was “larger than life,” but for one exception: Reagan, like 4.5 million Americans, struggled with the devastating effects of Alzheimer's Disease. His ten-year struggle was a vivid reminder that disease and chronic illness have no respect for position, stature, or “larger than life” accomplishments.

This is not the first time we have had such reminders. Many recall former first lady Betty Ford's diagnosis with breast cancer in 1974. Ford, like some 2 million women in the United States today, was diagnosed, treated, and walked the path of uncertainty and fear which often accompany any form of cancer. Add to the list two well-known personalities from divergent walks of life, Reverend Billy Graham and actor Michael J. Fox. Both struggle with another foe, Parkinson's Disease, which affects as many as 1 million people in our country.

When an individual we have elevated to “celebrity status” is stricken, there is generally a period of increased awareness. Of course, this is a good thing. The media quickly turns its attention to Alzheimer's, to Breast Cancer, or to Parkinson's. What is it? What are its symptoms? How many Americans are affected? What is being done to eradicate it? Is the government doing enough? This is to be expected. A famous person has become a “victim.”

Most of us can reach out and touch “victims” who are even closer to our hearts. There are those like 13 year-old Mattie Stepanek who inspired countless individuals with his poetry and his positive spirit. Sadly, he finally lost his battle with Muscular Dystrophy, a disease affecting over 1 million Americans.

Not Just Celebrities

There are over 8.5 million people in America suffering with just the four diseases mentioned here. Their loved ones, families and friends asked all too familiar questions long before any media announcements that a former president, an actor, or a famous evangelist was stricken. What is being done to cure this disease? Are there affordable services available to help in the battle against the disease? What can I do to help?

Government invests substantial resources to address health concerns. The fiscal year 2004 budget for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, an agency with 66,639 employees, was $548 billion dollars. In Maryland, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's fiscal year 2004 Budget was $5.8 billion dollars, and included 8,412 staff positions. Obviously, both the federal and state governments are concerned about improving health.

Government Can't Do It Alone

However, no government mechanism can be expected to provide all the services, programs, care, and research necessary to win all the battles that need to be fought.

This is where the nonprofit community comes in. Many of Maryland's 24,000 nonprofits focus specifically on health. Most prominent are hospitals and health systems. But, in fact, the majority are small organizations devoted to providing health services at the community level by helping those with a particular disease or condition like diabetes, mental illness, cerebral palsy and countless more. With their austere budgets and small staffs, these agencies fill the void that a $548 billion federal agency and a $5.8 billion state budget cannot fill.

Governments rely on taxes to fund services. While many nonprofits rely in part on government-funded grants and earned revenue, they must still depend on the generosity of people in order to continue to provide hands-on care and services, education and medical research. The nonprofits must rely on people who understand that diseases and chronic illnesses are everyone's problem, and are dealt with one step at a time, one volunteer hour at a time, one walk-a-thon at a time, one bake sale at a time, one dollar at a time. It is appropriate that we give proper attention to finding the cure for diseases that attack “larger than life” personalities like President Reagan. It is just as appropriate that we give of our resources and ourselves to help combat those same diseases for all Americans.

Fall is sometimes referred to as “campaign season” by nonprofits. But, this is not a reference to political campaigning. It refers to annual employee giving campaigns conducted in many workplaces, where employees are offered the opportunity to give through payroll deduction. The dollars given to health-related nonprofits are vital for them to continue in their efforts to help families through the deep waters of serious illness and disease; waters that we all may go through at some point in our lives.

When you have an opportunity to give to health nonprofits, don't just think about President Reagan, Betty Ford, Reverend Graham, Michael J. Fox, or Mattie Stepanek. Think about Bill next door, your co-worker Tom, your sister Mary, and the diseases for which they are being treated. Then, let your heart be your guide.

Ron Chambless is the Community Health Charities of Maryland (CHC) Development Manager for Southern Maryland/Eastern Shore. Community Health Charities of Maryland is a federation of health agencies dedicated to raising funds for its affiliates so that they can continue to conduct medical research and provide health education, hands-on care and health services.