A Call To Heal

With this special issue of the Journal we are reminded of the many lives that have been impacted by Breast Cancer. We are reminded of stories of loss as well as stories of triumph. More and more women are now comfortable sharing their stories- the more we know the more we can join together to take steps to see that healing comes to all in need.
It is ironic that as I scan today’s news I am reminded of the inability of our leaders to reach a workable solution to the health care question- at a time in which public awareness has grown like never before we still face the same debate- how do we provide medical care for all of the people in our country. I have no magic answers but I do have faith that there is some solution that will work.
I think it would be hard to find someone who has not been impacted by the sufferings caused by Breast Cancer- all of us have family members, friends, and loved ones who have been plagued by a disease that has become all too common. This special issue of the Journal should spark a common reaction among all of us- “What can I do?” We put our faith in doctors, we try every form of treatment, and we still feel like we are not doing enough. There is nothing worse than seeing someone we love suffer and feeling powerless to help.
One thing we can all do is very tangible and will help everyone- let’s put politics aside. We already know that “business as usual” has crippled our nation. Whether you are on the right or the left you cannot ignore the truth- there has to be some way to insure (no pun intended) that all people can receive the medical treatment that they need. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the right time for all of us to focus on the needs of those who need healing. No one would disagree but no one has answered the call.
Judaism places an absolute value on every human life. You may have heard the phrase “He who saves a single life has saved the entire world.” Those words were never more meaningful than at this very moment. We now have the science and treatments to heal many diseases. We are growing closer to being able to eradicate more diseases but, at the same moment, we are locked in a battle about how to accomplish these goals. Yes, it is complicated. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it has brought our government to a total standstill. None of these facts mean that it can’t be done. What would you do to restore health to someone you love? Anything it takes? That’s what our leaders need to do.
If your life has been touched by Breast Cancer you know that it is not an abstraction- it is as real as real can be. It is the nightmare diagnosis that we all fear to hear. Let’s use what we have learned about the power of public awareness and public advocacy to a larger arena. The chances are that most of us will, at some point, need serious health care. We can’t allow that care to be beyond the reach of some of our people. Our government can’t figure out how to do this but I believe that, working together, we can.