I received a note the other day from someone who, some would say understandably, is fed up with all the money that has been spent trying to find cures for what ails us:
“Excuse me for being a wet blanket music lovers but I you need a dose of truth. Have you ever thought that if you added up all the money collected by modern medicine from honest Americans to find a cure for any disease that it would amount to trillions of dollars. And I am not even counting the money the government gives them. The reason I say that is because they have not found a cure for even one disease in 60 years. I remember giving donations for medical causes when I was a little boy and I am 64 now. What have they been doing all this time with all that money? I wonder if they are even trying to find a cure?”
I wanted to show you why it matters.
This is Aiden:
Kelly Ray Davis, Aiden, Rodney Crisp
Aiden, along with thousands of other kids, has Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It’s a disease that has the potential to completely collapse the lungs and kills numerous children every year. Last night’s SMA Benefit helped raise much needed research for this devastating disease. Doctors have made tremendous progress over the years and the progression has led, for the first time, into human trials. They are getting very close.
I ended up responding to the note above and this is what I wrote back:
“I believe that in the medical field exist great individuals who really care about making a difference. These are people who may not personally be affected by the disease they are researching, but they certainly know the effects that disease have on the people who have it.
I personally would rather spend trillions of dollars giving families and those affected by such sickness hope of a cure, than simply throw it down the drain of corporate welfare. Despite the high cost and the seeming lack of movement in finding actual cures, progress is being made.
For example, Warren (the person holding this benefit) was told his son would die by the time he was 6 years old. Through events like this and others held throughout the country, researchers have given Aiden (Warren’s son) 14 years of life – with many more to come! They have made progress over the years in finding out the ‘what’s’ and the ‘why’s’ and the ‘how’s’. Much work is left to do, but Aiden is a wonderful, upbeat, positive kid who has really suffered more than anyone could possibly imagine – and I promise you he lives his life, to the best of his ability, to the fullest.
Everyone wishes that cures could be found for these diseases. And great strides are being made in numerous places – from diabetes to lupus and lymphoma to cancer – and yes, researchers are closer than ever to discovering a cure for SMA.
The bottom line is, what we do today isn’t always for those who suffer today. It’s for those who may suffer in the future. Those who could be cured. Despite the financial cost, I care more about the human cost – and sincerely believe that one day, God will give those who research and study these illnesses the answers we’ve all been looking for.”
I hope that the majority of people don’t share the view of the person above. I hope that Nashvillians will always come together for great causes and try to help each other out like they did last night. I believe you will! Nashville is a great and caring community.
More pictures from last night’s SMA Benefit concert:
Warren Silvers
Red Neck Yacht Club – Thom Shepherd
Aiden with Bernie Nelson
Amanda Williams, Shawn Meyer, Memarie Gayle, and Gabe Garcia
Bridgette Tatum – She’s Country!
Thanks to all the artists who showed up and performed, and all the good folks from Nashville who came out and contributed, the benefit was a huge success! Thank you all so much.
