Ray Tye: When you save a life you save the future
I got some bad news this morning. Jim Morgrage, President of Harbor to the Bay, Inc., phoned me at 8:30 am to let me know that Mr. A. Raymond Tye, a strong and generous supporter of our ride, is clinging to life and may lose this battle soon. Harbor to the Bay was his son Michael’s vision. Jim asked me if I would write something appropriate for the Harbor to the Bay website in preparation of the local media and public interest. Nothing I could say or write could ever be as awesome as the man’s own words and accomplishments as documented on his foundation’s website, at rtmaf.org therefore I strongly recommend you visit that site and experience for yourself what Ray’s life has been all about.
The following is one of my favorite passages from the website’s President’s Message section. Please consider making a donation to his foundation to thank him and to help continue his vision.
In GIVING SHOULD REALLY BE CALLED “RECEIVING”, he writes:
At the turn of the last century, Sir John Lubbock wrote:
“To do something, however small, to make others happier and better, is the highest and most elevating way to inspire the human spirit”.
Everyone desires happiness, and the world needs more of it; perhaps it should be a worldwide cause like hunger or global warming. But what if the simple concept of giving could bring about all the happiness we need and enough to share with everyone?
It is a strong belief of my own that giving should really be called “receiving” because the elemental act of giving returns many pleasant rewards to the giver. In fact, it might be said that there is not a more self-serving act than a liberal manifestation of generosity. Why? Because an act of generosity helps to make the world a better place, and this alone is a gratifying notion. Seeing the happiness generosity creates in the recipients is another positive reinforcement – a big return for a small investment. And it is true that no good deed goes un-rewarded, even when the reward is intangible. So we can conclude that giving is a targeted, reliable formula that pays mammoth dividends.
It is easy to get sidetracked with the idea of “gift” vs. “giving”. What you give to someone might not be easy to see or might not be wrapped in pretty ribbon. But a gift from the heart – that bottomless fountain that replenishes itself – is the important thing. We can find opportunities for selfless giving everywhere; it is not at all difficult to find a chance to give our time, our talents, our encouragement, our caring touch, words of support or a warm hug. These simple ways of giving are as important as giving money to a worthy cause. They bring the same joy to the heart and give back the same sense of satisfaction and balance. Milton Hershey, founder of the great chocolate empire, said,
“One is only happy in proportion to the happiness he creates in others.”
Another favorite of mine is LETTERS FROM RWANDA featuring Erneste Simpunga, an 18 year-old boy from Rwanda who was in distress with class III heart failure symptoms for 3 years. He was suffering from severe mitral stenosis and needed tricuspid valve replacement in order to live. After his life-saving surgery, which was paid for by Mr. Tye’s foundation, Erneste wrote him. Here is a portion of that letter.
From: Erneste Simpunga
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009
To: The Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation
Subject: Thank you for helping me.
Hello. How are you doing? Hope you are so good. I am not sure if you remember me but I will never forget you in my life…. You have a nice welcome note when someone searches for your Foundation. It says THE RAY TYE MEDICAL AID FOUNDATION, WE NEVER STOP CARING! WHEN YOU SAVE A LIFE YOU SAVE THE FUTURE.
Allow me to congratulate for this mission because you put it in practice, you do not only say it. Today, my objective is to thank you so much for paying my heart surgery… I would like to be a doctor when I grow up and help others as you helped me. I wish to be a cardiologist, and I will like to come back to the United States for my college education.
I thank you once again for helping me and my God already blessed you.
Thanks.
Erneste.
Henri 8:49 pm on March 9, 2010 Permalink |
http://www.raytyemedicalaidfoundation.org