how I live united - Bo Shafer

Hi, my name is Bo Shafer.

I give to United Way because a long time ago I realized that helping others is not a duty, it is a privilege.

I did nothing to deserve to be born healthy and have the ability to earn a living, see, or be able to walk.  It is all a gift.  I truly did not deserve any of this.  But, then again, neither did the people that were born without these gifts.  It is by the grace of God that I am on the giving end instead of the receiving.  But, life can change in a matter of seconds.

So, I continue to give with a happy heart.

I was Chairman of the Board for United Way in 1982, and that’s when I truly saw my heart change.  In my arms, I held a two week old baby that was addicted to crack cocaine.  I looked at myself, and knew that I never wanted to complain about anything ever again.  Because anytime I wake up in the morning in my own home, brush my own teeth, feed myself breakfast, start my own car, and go to work in the best country that has ever existed, I know that I’m not going to have a good day, I’ve already had one.

So, that’s why I keep less of what has been given to me.  I’ve realized how blessed that I am to be able to help others who weren’t born as fortunate as me.

Like I always say, “Keep a smile on your face, and be a breath of sunshine wherever you go, and not a rain cloud, because we that are able to give have truly got it made.”

As the Bible says, “Love your neighbor as yourself…”  And, by giving to United Way, I am able to do just that.

And, that’s how I live united.

How do YOU live united?  Send us your stories!

how I live united - Carol Clotfelter

Hi, my name is Carol Clotfelter and I advocate for the National Kidney Foundation Serving East Tennessee.

I believe that everyone has an obligation to give back to their community.  So, when I retired from the Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, I started thinking about how I was going to spend my time. 

I choose to advocate for the National Kidney Foundation Serving East Tennessee because it speaks personally to my heart and family.  Both of my husband’s parents died from kidney disease.  A silent killer, kidney disease can be prevented, or damage delayed, if caught early enough.

Did you know that one in nine people have kidney disease and don’t even know it?  And, that diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney disease?  All too often, these diseases go unnoticed until it is too late.  My husband, son, daughter-in-law, and I have diabetes.  Thank God we know (ignorance is not bliss), and are doing all we can do, so that we can lead happy, healthy, and productive lives.

I want to improve the future of my family and my community.  That’s why I do what I can to educate and advocate about Kidney Disease so that we can prevent it from being a very real and personal part of too many lives in our community.

And, that’s how I live united.

How do YOU live united?  Send us your stories!

how I live united - Dr. Jack Lacey

Hi, my name is Dr. Jack Lacey.  I am an Internist and Chief Medical Officer of The University of Tennessee Medical Center.  I volunteer my time as a physician in a community-wide effort to help our neighbors with health care needs who have limited ways to meet those needs.  Knoxville Area Project Access (KAPA) is a network of compassionate physicians, hospitals, and other organizations with a passion for making sure that the lack of health insurance or resources doesn’t prevent access to needed medical care. 

Over 840 physicians in Knox County, all Knoxville hospitals, and several great organizations, including InterFaith Health Center and Cherokee Health Systems, all play significant roles in KAPA.  Now the whole effort has been given a great boost because KAPA has been blessed with a grant from United Way.  In its first year in working with United Way, over 1800 uninsured individuals with health care needs have received health care and been established  in a “medical home” as part of the Medical Health Home initiative of United Way.  Since KAPA began in March 2006, over twelve million dollars in health care services have been donated to help over 10,000 patients in our community.

It’s easy to get caught up in the passion of this voluntary effort to help others when you work shoulder-to-shoulder with so many people with great hearts and talents who are also willing to give their time and resources for the good of others and the good of the entire community.  When you have a chance to work with people like that, it’s not only a great experience; it’s a blessing to see our community change one life at a time.

Not every community can accomplish what we have seen here.  Sure, we’re proud of what we’ve done but it’s not been accomplished because volunteers seek recognition but rather because individuals and organizations see this lending a hand to neighbors in need as a core part of their mission.  It’s just what we do.  It’s the volunteer spirit!

I think it is so very important that any effort on behalf of those in need in our community be embraced by everyone in the community if such an effort is going to survive.  Our experiences in KAPA have shown us that everyone can bring something to the table and that when they do, great things can happen.  Clearly, it’s not about any one individual, but rather the power of the whole.  It’s about wonderful, generous people and organizations brought together by a passion to help others and working in a united way.  For example, the physicians have always donated their services.  KAPA has taken these individual efforts and combined them with hospitals and other health care organizations in such a way that the effect of the whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts.  My role in all this is small but I believe I have an obligation which is, in fact, an opportunity to do my fair share.  The success of KAPA has been a strong reminder to me that when our community comes together, sharing its blessings for the good of others, almost anything can be accomplished.  And, that’s how and why I live united. 

How do YOU live united?  Send us your stories!