If You Can, You Should

Following the annual Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center gala, I have one more story to tell. I learned it from others who are “walking the talk.”

Generosity, service, purpose – that was the theme for me at the Cancer Center gala at The Greenbrier over the weekend.

Little General Stores President Greg Darby presented a $25,000 check in support of WVU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bob Huggins and said to the audience,

“If you can, you should.”

Powerful words to live by. If you can, you should. Do we live by that approach?

Jo and Ben Statler do and donated funds to create Bonnie’s Bus in honor of her mother, Bonnie Wells, who succumbed to breast cancer in a remote area of the state with no access to screening mammography. The mobile mammography unit has saved lives and has provided access and hope to West Virginia communities that otherwise would not have screening services.

Betty Puskar does and committed time and resources to the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center and to countless other activities that improve lives every day.

Bob and June Huggins do by providing funds to remember Bob’s mother. Read more about that in my previous post, "Eyes Open(ed)."

But important service is not limited by financial contributions.

Our committed doctors, nurses, other professionals, trainees, and staff bring their "A" games every day to improve the lives of others. They apply cutting-edge medicine, hold a hand, share a funny story, and celebrate the people they are passionate about supporting. They provide hope and comfort.

I am inspired by these acts of selfless service to others.

I want to share a video about empathy, disease, hospitals, and people.

What a powerful lesson for not only cancer care, but for our lives.

If you can, you should.