Incredible Twitter, Incredible People

Last night I was onstage at The Comedy Store to speak at the #140conf in LA which is organized by Jeff Pulver. I wanted to share the power of Twitter and how it helped fulfill a patients dream. I had a kind introduction onstage from the co-organizer and fellow TEDster, Eric Greenspan.

First of all, to share and speak to people at the conference was such an honor. To be honest, I didn't prepare something to say--all I knew was that I had to share the stories of my patients and to let people know that Twitter makes a difference. I knew that I'd talk about the Ruby Red Slipper Group, the shoes, and how a patient got tickets to the Ellen Show.

I ended the talk with one of my favorite quotes:

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"
--Plato

I was debating whether or not to mention a patient who was terminal and had a lifelong dream of seeing the Steelers--but they did not have the financial means to do so.

I finally decided to tell the 300+ people in the audience about the dream of this patient --of going to Pittsburgh-- and what happened next was MAGIC, pure MAGIC!

Jeff Pulver kindly donated his frequent flier miles for plane tickets to Pittsburgh, and what occurred next completely took me, and I think everyone in the room by surprise.

Dr. Krupali, an oncologist, brought most of us to tears when she told the "Make A Wish" type stories and needs of some of her dying cancer patients. I was so moved by one story that I started what became a mass rush to the stage, when I went up to the stage, spontaneously, and said "Here's the first $20 towards buying her plane ticket." It was great to see the whole room follow suit. --Bruce Sallan

The whole room, EVERY SINGLE PERSON, came up to stage or passed $1, $5, $10, $20 bills up to stage, by the end of the night I had a handful of cash to fulfill a terminal patients wish. Eric Greenspan was a great help calling the outpouring of support.

The love in the room, people helping people, and the kindness that I felt was something that I can't really explain properly in words. Mankind helping mankind--I was so overwhelmed, I'm still processing the good that happened.

It didn't stop there.

Today, I received an email from Yahoo:

First, it’s amazing that you’re are doctor helping so many people. But what you do is beyond just making their bodies work - it’s about giving them a reason to live, for however long they have.

We’d love to help you patient realize their dream…so Yahoo! will pay for the hotel – they can use the cash for spending money.

I read this email while I was eating lunch with other physicians, and I just started tearing up right in front of them. Some asked me what was wrong, and I just told them, they were tears of joy. I explained what happened last night, and a few of them started to cry with me. One of them said, 'We need to hear more stories like this...we really need to.'

I cried many times today, from the kind words of the people who attended the #140conf last night, from people who watched the video stream, from strangers who 'heard' about the incredible outpouring of humanity.

Thank you dear #140conf attendees. Thank you for playing an integral role in helping fulfill a terminal cancer patients dream. Thank you for recharging my faith in mankind. Thank you for everything....this night will forever be one of the most incredible moments that I've ever been a part of.

Much Love,
Krupali
Twitter ID: @krupali