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A plane ticket, rental car, and an Airbnb stay — that’s what it took for Remote Area Medical (RAM®) Volunteer Ben to travel from his home in California to his first RAM Clinic in Cincinnati, Ohio. Like millions of other viewers, Ben learned about RAM when 60 Minutes featured us in April. After seeing RAM’s story, he knew he had to volunteer and become involved with our organization.
“I’m here to help out wherever I can,” Ben said.
Making a Difference in the Community
After helping set up the clinic on Friday, Ben spent Saturday and Sunday working in patient registration. He welcomed patients to the clinic and made sure we had all the information needed to connect each person with care.
Working in patient registration gave Ben an opportunity to meet people and feel connected to the community he had traveled so far to serve. in addition to working in patient registration, Ben interpreted for Indonesian-speaking patients, helping them feel comfortable throughout the clinic process.
“[My favorite part of volunteering is] just meeting people, helping people. It’s what I like to do. Whatever I can, giving back to the community,” said Ben.
Throughout the weekend, Ben went above and beyond to make sure patients felt comfortable, found where they needed to go next, and felt welcomed from the moment they entered the clinic.
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People often ask, “Can I volunteer with RAM if I don’t have a healthcare background?” The answer is yes! Ben is a clear example. Although he does not work in healthcare, he helped patients throughout the weekend in several important ways. Many volunteer roles require no healthcare experience, only a willingness to serve and help others.
Traveling to Help Others
For Ben, volunteering with RAM combines two things he loves: traveling and meeting people. When he retires from his technology career in Silicon Valley, Ben hopes to become a CORE Volunteer with RAM. The role would allow him to travel throughout the country while serving at RAM Clinics in a volunteer leadership position.
The Cincinnati clinic was far from the closest RAM Clinic to Ben, but he said he could not wait to volunteer with RAM. Ben registered to volunteer just days after watching RAM’s segment on 60 Minutes episode air, and he was not alone! Thousands of people across the country registered to volunteer after the segment aired in early April.
RAM Helps Expand Healthcare Access for Thousands
For Ben, the 60 Minutes episode highlighted one of the barriers many RAM patients face: living without health insurance. Nearly half of RAM’s patients report having no health insurance. Without coverage, patients may have to pay out of pocket, delay treatment, or forgo care altogether.
“I certainly know how much of a pain that would be, if [patients] didn’t have any insurance, that they have to pay out of pocket,” Ben said. “Such an organization like this is exactly what’s needed for them. I’m glad there’s something like this to help them out.”
Thanks to the recent clinic in Cincinnati, nearly 300 people received free, quality dental, vision, and medical care.
A Call to Volunteer
Ben traveled across the country to volunteer because he wanted to put his desire to help others into action. He now encourages others to volunteer at a RAM Clinic and become more involved in their communities.
“If you can volunteer, please do so. It’s one way to give back to the community. That’s how I see it,” Ben said.
More About RAM
Join Ben and thousands of other volunteers who help make free RAM Clinics possible! Register to volunteer today.
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