MY PROMISE TO DR. SHAWKI

On our last day in Iraq, we revisited Al-Kindi and Yarmuk Hospitals, where we’d delivered medicines only the day before, and where lines of people were now waiting to be treated. In the afternoon we were invited to tea with the doctors of the Sherhebel Clinic, one of the best hospitals in Baghdad. There we were introduced to Dr. Hilal Shawki, Baghdad’s top cardiologist. I used the opportunity to discuss my three recent heart operations with the doctor. He sympathized, asked me a lot of detailed questions including what medications I was on, and then shared with me the story of how his clinic had been leveled by a U.S. air strike. It had received a direct hit that left absolutely nothing remaining.

A simple and obvious thought came into my head and, before I could stop, I heard myself say, "maybe I can help you." Although I wasn’t sure exactly what I would do or how I would do it, the sentiment was genuine. Moreover, it suddenly seemed as if I’d been given a way to repay the universe for giving me my life back!

The next day, as we were racing across the desert on our ten-hour drive to the Jordanian border, it occurred to me that my promise to Dr. Shawki tied me to Baghdad. I thought it probably meant that I’d be traveling back to see Dr. Shawki’s clinic when it’s built.

From working with AmeriCares I’ve learned that volunteering means you do it yourself. It is not something you can believe someone else is going to do it for you. I realized that I was "the someone else" and that I was the one who was going to have to help Dr. Shawki rebuild his clinic.

As crazy as Baghdad was, I look at it as a place that offers tremendous opportunity. I can’t think of another place under the sun where there is more that needs to be done.