Just within a month after I moved to the US, on July 20th 2011, I read about this tragic accident on the news… more than 14 vehicles piled up over I-90 / I-405 intersection, and so many people got injured in this very tragic incident. Just two days later, I learned that the only one who could not survive the accident was Rachel, a 9-year old girl who was initially the only one critically injured in the accident. It was just so heartbreaking to know that of everyone involved in the accident, everyone was able to make it out alive except a 9-year old who had her entire lovely future ahead of her. For days, I blamed the merciless acts of god.
Rachel who just turned 9 then was raising funds for a clean water campaign on her birthday for people half way across the globe.
Here’s what she had to say — .
“On June 12th 2011, I’m turning 9. I found out that millions of people don’t live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Because they didn’t have access to clean, safe water so I’m celebrating my birthday like never before. I’m asking from everyone I know to donate to my campaign instead of gifts for my birthday. Every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund freshwater projects in developing nations. Even better, every dollar is “proved” when the projects are complete, and photos and GPS coordinates are posted using Google Earth. My goal is to raise $300 by my birthday, June 12, 2011. Please consider helping me.
Thank you so much!!! “
http://www.rachel-beckwith.org/
I saw this fund raising page when it was just over couple of hundred dollars, and couldn’t stop myself from being part of such a kindhearted move. Weeks passed; she had a goal for $300 and guess how much her campaign raised? $1,265,823! And that was just the original campaign. Her mom Samantha, created multiple campaigns on behalf of her at charity water to keep the money flowing… It was so incredible to see how many folks around you share the compassion for giving back to the society and how kind hearted, people you meet every day are! Thanks to just Rachel’s first campaign, close to 37,700 people now have access to clean drinking water. You can watch a video on the impact she created, here. I like Charity water for another reason — 100% of your money is used for clean water projects, as operating costs are borne by private donors, and they do send regular updates on where exactly your money is being used.
After this incident, I started believing that things that happen around us, however good or bad they may be, happen for a reason, and that we are so privileged and blessed to be able to make a doubled difference in lives of people just my contributing time or money, double because Microsoft matches it! I just cannot overstate how much happy I feel when every dollar I donate doubles up in its contribution and thereby having double the impact. I couldn’t believe it was 2014 and we still had places in our world where people do not have access to such basic need as clean water. And that’s why I give!
There is another story that is much more personal to me that I initially hesitated to share.
My daughter Akshara was born 3 months early at 930 gms and went through quite a tough 107 days with several complications in the NICU before getting home. We were in University of Washington, Seattle Children’s and Overlake NICUs. Yes, all three of them :)
Although it was a tough journey I wouldn’t wish anyone to go through, it taught me some life altering lessons and transformed me into a completely different person.
I learnt that I had no reason in life to ever crib about anything. I had one of the best medical care one can get on the planet and a company which took care of me with one of the best health insurance and awesome support at work. Statistically, very very few people in the world fell into this set.
I stopped believing in luck. It was pure genius on the doctors’ part why my daughter is alive and rocking today. We need more of them and more of their genius to bring affordable healthcare.
I understood the real value of research. If not for research in medicine, things that are so obviously possible today would have remained obviously impossible. Every time you buy a product that you think is awesome but overpriced, don’t just think of the cost for build of materials, include the cost for research. Research is why world is a much better place and it’s the only thing that makes the world even better for our kids.
I saw a doctor cry with joy after a successful surgery and a nurse swallow her tears when the day came for us to transfer to a different NICU. These are really really passionate people who want to make a difference in the world and they need to be supported in every way. We need them.
Being so privileged to be among the select few who enjoy the best luxuries on the planet, and realizing the importance of research and its role in bringing affordable healthcare, and supporting the passionate people who work to make it happen is why I give to Seattle Children’s. On my kid’s first birthday, we requested for donations in lieu of gifts, something that I hope my daughter will be extremely proud to know when she grows up.