1017 Social Responsibility

Robin Helzer stood there, unable to control himself with excitement.

He never imagined that one day he would look at his idol like an adolescent girl, trembling, speechless, and sweaty palms; he could not even imagine that his footsteps followed the figures of those stars, right? To him, Hollywood stars are nothing but an ethereal bubble.

But today, everything is happening.

On the "Today Show" in Rockefeller Plaza, it was the first time Robin and Renly met, the first time they listened to the concert live, the first time they were moved by the music, the first time they felt the power of life, the first time Admired and admired a figure; not only because his son suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, not only because the Heather-Cross Foundation finally awakened people's attention to the disease, but also because of the song "Another One" Light".

Among the more than 6 billion people in the world, there are only a handful of dazzling and dazzling stars in the sky. Most of the remaining stars are just insignificant shimmers, hidden in the boundless darkness of the night, unattended and unattended. Know, until one day it will be silently vanished like this.

Perhaps, for most people, not even a sound can be heard; but for that light, it is the destruction of the whole world. It is not meaningless, nor is it a drop in the ocean, but an integral part of the entire world.

Renly's voice was exactly Robin's voice; Robin saw that light in this young man, and his footsteps started chasing involuntarily.

"I, I mean...sorry, uh, I mean...thank you. Really, thank you." Incoherent, incoherent, fragmented, Robin closed his eyes in frustration and gritted his teeth.

But when he opened his eyes again, he found that Renly didn't have any impatience, still staring at him with a smile, and his right hand still didn't break free, as if waiting patiently for the following, which made Robin's excited mood calm down a little. "It's a great feat, the Heather-Cross Foundation, you know, it's enough to change society."

"It's not my credit, it's Heather Cross's, and there are countless volunteers and families who worked and fought for it, and it's their credit. I'm just standing on the stage, standing in the spotlight Just enjoying everyone's attention; maybe that's why everyone wants to be an actor." Renly joked.

Robin shook his head and said firmly, "You are a gentleman and refuse to take credit. However, that song is the best proof that only those who have really experienced pain and struggle can create such a song. Music. Renly, you know what? Maybe this little act of yours could save thousands of families."

Hope, an ethereal word,

But enough to save countless people. Now, Renly ignited a spark of hope, waiting for a prairie fire.

The seemingly simple sentence made Renly feel the heavy pressure on his shoulders once again.

As public figures, they enjoy flowers and applause, they enjoy fame and glory; they also shoulder more important responsibilities. Yes, he is a dreamer, rushing towards his dreams purely; at the same time, he is also a leader, holding up the torch of hope with his own efforts and struggles.

If you just want to enjoy the happiness brought by the star's halo, but refuse the accompanying pressure and attention, or even refuse the corresponding responsibilities and obligations, it is unfair and impossible.

"This is what the Heather-Cross Foundation hopes to achieve: thousands of families. We need more help and support in this process, so let's work together to make our dreams a reality. " Renly said with a smile, shaking Robin's hands with his right hand, expressing his determination.

Robin only felt a burst of excitement and enthusiasm, and under the impulse, the words blurted out, "Of course, I am very, very willing to contribute. In fact, I am a fund manager, if necessary, I am very happy to help the sea. Ser Cross contributed." After saying that, Robin regretted it.

"God, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant." The words just now sounded like he had intentions, as if he was specifically targeting the position of the fund manager, but God testifies that today's encounter is just a coincidence, and the thought just now is just a coincidence . "I mean, I have a lot of management experience, I know how to run a foundation, and if the Heather-Cross Foundation needs it, I'm ready to contribute; but not that I'm here specifically for this job, I ... Jesus Christ, I should have a resume, but I don't have... oh, I should, what should I say."

"I understand." Renly could feel the urgency and emotion of the middle-aged man in front of him, not just for work or job hunting, but more of a passion, like the enthusiasm of volunteers.

Robin stroked his neck angrily, "I mean, my son, he... uh... he... he also has ALS, and I was going to another fund that day at Rockefeller Plaza. Yes, apply for Medicaid, but unexpectedly, I met you. This is the first time, the first time a foundation has set its sights on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which for us is an important hope, so I hope I can help.”

"Why don't you give me a business card? I think this will be a good start." Renly said without much arguing, but said bluntly.

"...Oh." Robin was stunned for a while, and then he reacted, "Of course, absolutely." Robin then let go of his hands, hurriedly took out his business card holder, and handed it over, "Robin Helzer. Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself."

"Renly-Hall." Renly introduced himself with a smile, as the first official acquaintance of the two.

From the beginning to the end, Bradley just stood there quietly, watching quietly, not in a hurry or in a hurry. On Renly and Robin, he saw the truth and fragility behind the mask. I saw the vicissitudes and moving under the skin. Once again, Bradley was thankful that he made the right choice.

After the shocking revelation of his background, The New York Times was fortunate to be the first media to interview Renly, which allowed Bradley to present a real Renly to readers from his perspective.

Watching Robin take the initiative to leave, Bradley still did not speak. In the sight, Renly carefully put away the business card, Bradley asked curiously, "Will you call him?"

"Yes, I think I will." Renly nodded affirmatively.

"Why? Because his son is going through the same difficulties?" Bradley inquired curiously, after all, five minutes ago, the man was a complete stranger.

Renly chuckled, but did not answer directly, "Bradley, have you heard of the social movement group ACT-UP in the late 1980s and early 1990s?"

"Yes, of course I do." Bradley looked surprised, not expecting Renly to change the subject.

ACT-UP, whose full name is "AIDS--To-Unleash-Power", which can also be literally translated as "Action", was established in New York in March 1987, and is In just a few years, it has spread all over the world and has risen in an all-round way, which has really made the whole society begin to face the existence of AIDS/AIDS and promoted the development of medicine and the progress of society.

"Do you know why ACT-UP has grown so much in just a few short years?" Renly didn't continue to walk, but just stood on the edge of the street, watching the traffic in front of him. The earth is magnified, the world is boundless, but the insignificance of the individual is also magnified, insignificant, "because they had no time at that time."

Standing in front of the torrent of history and social machines, the individual is always so insignificant; but people often ignore that society is composed of people and history is written by people. Only when people step forward can society progress and history move forward; as long as people fight bravely, society can progress and history can progress.

"The reason why we fight is not to change this society, but to not let this society change us."

At the end of the 1980s, HIV/AIDS patients all over the world were faced with a similar dilemma: scientific research progress was slow, effective medicines could hardly be found, and even medicines that slowed the disease were extremely rare and expensive; the latest medicines were produced. They cannot even be purchased legally in their own country, the review by the drug regulatory department is extremely slow, and most drugs are listed as illegal; even hospitals refuse to accept patients, insurance refuses to pay claims, and it is difficult to obtain the right to burial even after death.

Therefore, in this crisis, the government/government's indifference and the social rejection of the cold war force each patient and the patient's family and friends to play a different role: they need to become researchers and constantly study professional journals and reports in various countries; They need to become doctors and control the dosage and dosage of medicines themselves; they also need to be nurses and accompany their sick family members; they even need to become social activists, standing in the limelight and shouting for their own lives.

They are inconspicuous dust, whose lives no one cares about but themselves.

As Renly said, they have no time, they have no choice, they have to come together, they have to stand up, they have to fight to the end.

"Dallas Buyers Club" in 2013, "120 BPM" in 2017, focused on such a special group of people, telling those ordinary but great stories.

As a reporter, Bradley instantly understood what Renly meant, he opened his mouth slightly, and the first thought in his mind blurted out, "But, ALS is not AIDS/AIDS. ."

Renly chuckled, "Have you heard of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis before this?"

A simple rhetorical question, but Bradley was speechless and froze in place, the smile on the corner of Renly's mouth added a touch of bitterness, "Yes, I have never heard of it before Heather Cross, And I'm not the only indifference in the vast society. Who cares that another light goes out?"

The last sentence, which is the lyrics of "Another Light", has a special meaning at this time. Bradley fell silent.