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Douglas Flora

Jan 29, 2025, 18:47

Douglas Flora: Tackling the “impossible” at the ACS Volunteer Leadership Retreat

Douglas Flora, Executive Medical Director of Young Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“‘How will you use your blessings?’ Every big change starts with somebody bold enough to say it – and act on it. – Mick Ebeling

This week, I’ve been surrounded by hundreds of passionate leaders and dedicated staff at the American Cancer Society Volunteer Leadership Retreat. Together, we’re tackling the ‘impossible’: ensuring everyone has the opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

One of the highlights of the retreat was hearing from Mick Ebeling, founder of Not Impossible Labs whose words and stories left an indelible mark on on all of us. Mick’s philosophy – ‘Help one. Help many.’ – is both profound and practical.

Mick shared stories of how his work begins with one person’s seemingly overwhelming challenge. Like Daniel Omar, a 14-year-old in Sudan who lost both arms in a bombing. Mick’s team created a 3D-printed prosthetic arm for just $100, allowing Daniel to feed himself for the first time in two years. But they didn’t stop there – they built a training facility to help many more people like Daniel (video link worth watching, see Comments below.)

Mick’s message is clear: when you commit to solving one person’s problem, you create ripples of change that can reach many others. As he said, ‘Start with one. Commit. Work it out.’ Who is in?

This philosophy resonates deeply with our mission at the American Cancer Society. Behind every statistic, there’s a human story. Every breakthrough begins with a team saying, ‘That’s not right—this has to change.’

So I leave you with Mick’s question: Who is your one? What small act of compassion or innovation will you commit to this week? Together, one person at a time, we can achieve the impossible.”