Mr. Christopher Cai

My One Dream: Bridging Gaps

Whenever I think of the medical miracles I have seen firsthand, like robot-guided surgery or tic tac sized drugs that can drag a patient back from the edge of death, I smile in awe at the dazzling resources available in America. But I cry when I see the pleading eyes of patients who wish earnestly to improve their health, but have no money for even the transportation to the physician’s office. And I feel broken when I interview patients who must choose between going to bed hungry and going to bed without taking lifesaving medication.

            I dream of bridging the gap between patients and resources, of creating the simplest links between people and a healthier life. Since I was in sixth grade,  it has been my dream to make a historically significant impact for HIV treatment, a difference for the people who have the desire and will to improve their health, and are just missing the resources.  I established “Let’s Reach Out” (LRO) because I was captivated by the beauty of an idea, the idea that I could initiate HIV service projects now, that I could start living my dream today. 

            I remember the thrilling feeling of embarking on my dream, the joy of establishing a medical newsletter that was distributed by the Va Department of Health and then working to organize other programs. You can imagine my excitement: these programs were links that connected patients to better and more affordable care! Four years later, I still work on Let’s Reach Out HIV programs with local health care providers and still feel the excitement of day one. When I wake up every day, my first thought is “Today, I can take another step toward realizing my dream”. This beautiful thought leaves me with fresh and uncurbed enthusiasm to embrace all the opportunities I encounter.

            At school, I am inspired by this thought and hungrily anticipate lectures in all disciplines. I want to hear wisdom from Vergil or melodies from Bach not only because I  love to learn but because I feel prepared  to pursue my dream when I am armed by their perspectives. I study not because I wish to make certain grades or to reach arbitrary, golden cutoffs, but because I want a rich and full education that gives scope and meaning to my research and outreach.

             After class, my dream has earned me some notoriety among family and friends because I have (allegedly, I should add) sacrificed bowling night to develop patient support groups, or spurned dinner to create HIV prevention programs. In my defense, I usually smile and point out that Pizza Tuesday just isn’t as satisfying as working for a cause that changes peoples’ lives.

            Today, my passion for service directs every step I take. Tomorrow, I know this passion will direct me to achieve my dream of changing HIV care through outreach and research.  Every day, I see the lone poster on my wall that reads “AIDS Statistics: 40,000,000 diagnosed, 00,000,000 cured” and I remember why I choose to research HIV treatment and why it is my passion to serve the underserved.

             I know I will never stop until I bridge the gap between my one dream and reality, until I realize my dream and help make my generation the one that cures AIDS.

Be sure to visit my informational site at www.letsreachout.org or if you want to correspond with me you can either leave comment for display below or email me directly at christophercai@iwannagohome.org 

I thank you in advance and look forward to hearing from you to discuss our positive cause.