All we need is a place
We’re trying to organize a healthcare rally in Savannah, Ga., for Aug. 24. We have a whole lot of people interested in coming — we just need to know where to tell them to gather.
We decided we’re going to keep it positive — we have no intention of blasting Memorial Health. They’ve blown me off at every turn. They don’t want to talk, and I won’t sue, so it’s time to move on and try to do something to prevent more deaths from lack of insurance and lack of care. Going negative won’t solve anything. It won’t bring about change. It won’t give Mike back to us and it won’t get healthcare for other people who need it.
It’s time to get vocal. We need to be out in public talking about healthcare as a right, not something avaialable only to the favored few.
People deserve preventive care, diagnostic tests, chronic disease management — the less expensive alternatives to emergency room as primary care.
If Mike had access to colonoscopies, his cancer likely would have been caught early. It would have meant one operation, possibly one round of chemo. Much cheaper than two major operations, two rounds of chemo, radiation and a life over at 33.
It’s time to speak out. We chose Savannah because that’s where Mike lived when he got sick.
So, get your plaid on and be in Savannah on Aug. 24. We’ll let you know where as soon as we nail down a place.
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a new peer support program for people newly diagnosed with chronic or serious illness or with a new disability and their caregivers.
Patient Pals are people who have experience with various illnesses and disabilities, who can help someone newly diagnosed or with a new disability work through the fear, frustration, confusion and grief often experienced in the first few months.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
People with new illness or disability fare better when they have a role model -- someone who can help them negotiate their new path in life.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
Daffin Park is a huge park that is not too far from Memorial. I don’t know if public gatherings are permitted there. I do know that special events are allowed in almost all the park squares in the historic district of Savannah, but it will probably cost you around $500 or more when it’s all totaled up.
Contact the Leisure Service Director’s Office at 912-351-3837 to get some information about what is possible.
WTOC is the top-rated news show in Savannah. Their main line is 912- 234-1111. Ask for Melanie Ruberti. She is their health reporter. Next in ratings is WSAV at 912-651-0300. They do not have a designated health reporter but Randi Hempel and Alice Massimi have covered health and hospital stories before. WJCL is lowest in the ratings. If they are interested, they will send whoever they can. Their main line is (912) 921-2222.
Savannah Morning News is the biggest paper in town. Ask for Mary Landers at (912) 652-0337; if she is not interested, she should at least be able to mention the story to her co-workers.
I wouldn’t call any media earlier than a week before the 24th, and only if you definitely have a place lined up and a decent number of people who intend to be there. Tell them about Memorial. You don’t have to go negative but they will want to know why your gathering is of any relevance to the Savannah community. Good luck.