My personal American Pride comes from two sources: my patients who face cancer with hope and conviction. They “keep calm and carry on” with work, family, homes and helping others. They do not wallow in their own drama. And amazing US healthcare that shares it’s wealth, knowledge and opportunity with the world.
With the honor of caring for patients over so many years, comes the responsibility of offering treatment to all. In my book, “Listening to Cancer“, and on this blog, I often share their stories. I have discussed the surgeon from Siberia with breast cancer who escaped for a better life for her son. The Radiation Oncologist who escaped Hungary during revolution, The South Vietnamese Captain who found relief for his family. So many from Cuba, Venezuela, South and Central America, the islands, Africa, The Philippines, China, India, Pakistan, other mid east countries and, many others. The sigh of relief from patients and families when they arrive in the cancer center is always audible.
The American College of Radiation Oncology is hoping to partner with a mid- east country to enhance their Radiation Oncology standards. We are reaching out to improve the processes outside the US. When we look abroad, what we find is that even developed countries like Italy, Ireland, England, Spain, Portugal,France and Germany, is how problematic it is to access healthcare, especially in rural regions. I receive regular updates from the NHS (National Health Service) in England. I know that wait times may exceed survival. Also radiation units are few and far for many countries and so it may take hours of transport if they can even get into treatments.
And so this July 4th Holiday, I will remind each of us to be proud of what we, in this relatively new democracy have to offer…. to the world. And be grateful that when you need to reach out for care, your biggest decision may be which doctor, specialist or hospital is best for you, as opposed to one center hundreds of miles away.
God Bless you in your ongoing healthcare journey, God Bless the hospitals and Universities that train doctors around the globe, God Bless the physicians, nurses and teams who devote their lives and expertise to patients and God Bless America. Happy 4th of July!