Results: Everyday Heroes

For 26 years, Dr. James S. Withers has called the streets in Pittsburgh his medical waiting room, and his backpack his office. He founded Pittsburgh Mercy's Operation Safety Net, a medical and social service outreach program for persons who are experiencing homelessness, and yes, he does indeed make "house" calls even when there is no house to go to. In fact, almost all his work is done on the streets. He and the other street medical doctors and nurses even dress casually like the homeless they attend to, so as not to scare them away or intimidate them. Today there are more than 200 street medicine programs around the world like it on six continents, and 35 medical schools now have street medicine programs. His work to help the most vulnerable has taken him from the inner city to remote villages around the world. Years ago, he saw a sign in a hospital in Haiti with a quote from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu that read, "Go to the people." That phrase became the tagline for the Street Medicine Institute. And it's the way Dr. Jim Withers lives his life. Do you think of this man as a true hero?

Doctors Without Borders was founded by a group of doctors and journalists who set out to create a new kind of humanitarian organization. It was founded on the belief they have an ethical responsibility to offer help where needed and speak out against injustices where they see them. They also believe that humanitarian responsibility has no borders, and to quote the organization "We are not sure that words can always save lives, but we know that silence can certainly kill." In 2019, they spoke out about a number of pressing issues, including the need for more humane policies to address the global refugee and migration crisis, and to go the extra mile to counter false narratives that abound—from the United States to Europe, from Africa to Asia—about people who are forced to flee, knowing that seeking safety is not a crime. They provide medical care to refugees and displaced people all over the world. Do you admire this organization and the work they do?

If you want to do some good in this world, then this next charity is exactly where your money should go. Ranked as the best charity worldwide (top ranked by GiveWell, Charity Intelligence Canada and The Life You Can Save), the Against Malaria Foundation, a 15-year-old U.K.-based charity operates with a simple mission: Buy mosquito nets and give them to people who need them. None of the donations go towards fundraising costs. Their CEO does not take a salary. They do not have an office. Their administrative costs are covered almost entirely by pro bono work from major corporations and any incidentals are paid by a small group of wealthy Brits. The result is that Against Malaria is one of the few charities in history that can take your money and honestly tell you that every cent of it will be spent on mosquito nets. Malaria is still one of the world's most deadly infectious diseases, killing roughly 450,000 people annually. As many as 6.2 million are alive right now because of anti-malarial action taken in the last 15 years, much of it focused on nets. More nets in more places will bring that toll even higher. Do you actively research charities to see where your money goes?

All three of these stories have one thing in common. All three saw a problem, thought of a solution, and got the job done (or at least started). Whether it be tending to the homeless in a U.S. city, tending to the refugee and displaced people fleeing oppression, or trying to put an end to a deadly disease, they took action. Wouldn't it be nice to see our countries' leaders see the problems in our countries, and do something about it, instead of talking about it, and doing nothing?