Bucks
Patch Adams Penn Foundation
Dear friends,
Good morning. Patch Adams never has a bad day. Last week the Penn Foundation packed the North Penn High School with well-wishers, who were thoroughly entertained by the famous doctor of laughter. Ever since Robin Williams starred in the “Patch Adams” movie, Adams has become a household name. He’s an international celebrity.
Patch Adams does great work for mankind and the 1,700 who heard him were impressed. So was I. He bounced onto the stage wearing a clown’s baggy pants costume, plus green hair. The title of his talk was appropriate for the Penn Foundation…”Humor and Health.”
Carol Washko is the Director of Advancement at the Penn Foundation. She spoke about the pressure with which Patch Adams lives. “He travels 300 days each year,” she began. “Patch Adams has seen so much suffering. He’s sincere…but he’s overloaded.”
Patch Adams, M.D. speaks about laughter and wellness, simultaneously. “Dr. Adams joyfully believes that the most revolutionary act one can commit in our world is to be happy,” the program stated. “Dr. Adams is the founder of the Gesundheit Institute, a free healthcare facility in operation for 15 years. Over 15,000 people have been provided with free medical care. We run the silliest hospital in the world.
“Laughter is not the best medicine…friendship is,” Adams began. Peace and justice are themes central to his mission.
Every year for two weeks in November, Adams takes volunteers to a third world country to administer laughter to the sick and dying. If you want to participate, here’s his website: www.patchadams.org
“How can I be an instrument for peace and happiness?” he asked himself 39 years ago as he began his practice of medicine. “I made a decision to love life. I haven’t been sick in 43 years,” he continued. “Being funny saved my life.”
During the Q and A portion, the 61-year-old physician fielded a question about the movie, which bears his name. “At first, I was embarrassed with the way I was projected,” Adams replied. “Unfortunately, peace and justice doesn’t sell tickets. But it has introduced my style [of medicine] to hospitals around the world. And I’ve been able to speak about peace and justice to many heads of state.”
Adams believes that politicians should campaign using the theme of loving one another. “Can you imagine a love platform,” he asked? The audience responded with applause. “And we should teach love in the public schools from K through twelfth grade.” More applause.
The “Autumn Event” is the major annual fundraiser for the Penn Foundation. Washko reminded me that it serves 8,800 clients yearly. “Twenty-five percent of our clients come from the Pennridge area; 22 percent from the Quakertown area; 21 percent, Indian Valley; 11 percent, North Penn; 9 percent, Upper Perk; and 4 percent, Central Bucks,” she continued. “And two thirds of them need fee support.”
State Senator Rob Wonderling was a big hit when he announced that the state legislature just made a $500,000 grant to the Penn Foundation. That will give the $10.6 million capital campaign a major boost. Washko praised State Senators Joe Conti, Stewart Greenleaf and Wonderling, plus State Representatives Paul Clymer, Robert Godshall, Chuck McIlhinney, and Cathy Watson for their help.
Before Patch Adams hit the stage, the Penn Foundation introduced two supporters. Kenneth Longacre received the Penn Foundation Adventures in Excellence Award for 2006. He presides over the Farm and Home Oil Company. In accepting the award, Longacre spoke about his son, Rodney, who committed suicide 16 years ago. “If Rodney had availed himself of the Penn Foundation, he’d be here today and share in this award,” his father told the audience.
You could have heard a pin drop. That took significant courage to speak publicly about something so painful…so personal.
John Haines presented the community appeal for the Penn Foundation. Haines is the President of Haines and Kibblehouse construction company. He told us that he suffers with a bipolar condition and praised the Penn Foundation for easing his illness. It takes a strong man to be willing to speak openly about mental illness. I was impressed.
Action speaks volumes. Before Patch Adams began his talk, Penn Foundation volunteers passed the hat. Ready, willing and able, the audience chipped in $6,278. It was a great effort and a great night.
Sincerely,
Charles Meredith