In this case6:13He has terminal cancer, so he travels to the United States to volunteer in each state
When Doug Ruch received a diagnosis of terminal cancer, he realized that one of his greatest regrets in life is that he did not spend enough time to help other people.
“I spent so much time, you know, to work and try to make a lot of money, that I did not do a lot of volunteer. I did not help many colleagues,” said Ruch, 55 years In this case Nile Kӧksal host.
“I can’t go back and change this. All I can do is go ahead with the weather left.”
This is why the San Antonio, in Texas, the man led through the United States on a mission to volunteer in each state – a trip he has nicknamed “dying to serve”.
‘Nothing to lose’
Ruch, who spent most of his life working in sales, received a diagnosis of prostate cancer in 2021. He learned in January that he had spread, and his doctors estimated that he had 12 to 18 months to live. It was then that he began to find the idea of his road trip.
Eddie Gallagher, 30 -year -old Ruch’s best friend, thought it was a great idea.
“I said,” Why not, guy? Go for it. You have nothing to lose, “said Gallagher. “I think it’s fantastic what he does.”
So far, Ruch has volunteered food bankshomeless shelters, popular soupsOld-age houses, youth centers and community centers in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah.
He describes himself as a little lonely with a turbulent childhood who suffered from anxiety for life, and says that all the effort has put him outside his comfort zone.
But volunteering, he learned quickly, feels good.
“It has become soothing. The days when I have volunteer missions, I feel really good and I am under tension. The happy hormones flow,” he said.
Angie K. Smith, Executive Director of the Kitchen Angels meal delivery organization at Santa Fe, NM, says that volunteering is not only good for the community; It’s good for the volunteer too.
Actually, several studies be found links Between volunteering or altruism, and happiness and health.
Ruch stopped in Kitchen Angels to help on March 25, and Smith said they were happy to have it.
“We absolutely count [on] And enjoy our volunteers, “said Smith.” Doug is an inspiration and we support his message and we support it. “”
Ruch, who collects funds for his trip to Gofundme, says he drew a lot of attention since his history began to make the headlines of national and international newspapers.
“It’s really gone crazy this week. He’s going crazy,” he said. “I receive a lot of emails for media and stuff and they say to themselves:” Hey, can you transmit this to Doug? “No, Doug Doug responds to all emails.
When he was asked if he planned to enlist volunteers to help, Ruch insisted that he did not want to charge anyone.
But when his boyfriend Quan Khuu learned Ruch’s mission, he knew he had to intervene.
“I knew he came to California, but he was not going to stop in San Francisco. So I did it [feel] Guilty of visiting me, “Khuu said.
Khuu and some friends then joined Ruch for a day of volunteer work with Project Open Hand, an organization that provides meals to the patients and vulnerable.
Khuu says he is proud of his friend.
“I’m glad he does what he does and leaves a good heritage,” he said.
Ruch, meanwhile, wants to make this heritage last. He says he plans to die to serve an official registered charitable organization that connects people to volunteer work.
“The mission will be to inspire and educate people throughout the country, if not the world, you know, micro-baby in their communities,” he said.
By “Mico-Voluner-Breunder”, it means volunteering for a few hours at a time. Give him back, he says, should not be a huge time commitment.
“If enough people volunteer … Three, four hours a month, it will make a difference.”
