Jackie Childers, Stan Brock and Drs. Joe and Diane Pitts Jackie Childers is shown holding The Gaffney Ledger with Stan Brock, founder of RAM (Remote Area Medical) and former Gaffney residents, Doctors Joe and Diane Pitts looking on.

“Our expedition took us to Harriman, Tenn where we provided medical, dental, and optical services to more than 700 people over the weekend of Sept 18,” Childers wrote in e-mail to the Ledger.

Stan Brock co-starred on the weekly program “The Wild Kingdom” during the 70’s. He also authored the book “When Cowboys were Indians,” which is based on his personal journeys and experiences living in South America and the Amazon. Stan, the “original crocodile hunter” is most known for his humanitarian efforts throughout South America and the U.S. When Stan isn’t working on an American expedition in the rural or remote areas of Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and most recently California at an Indian reservation, he can be found in Guyana where he also founded a hospital for the natives of the area.

“Over the weekend I had the opportunity to spend some time with Mr. Brock and discovered what a truly fascinating individual he is. When I asked him where he was staying, he told me that he always remained on site and slept in a roll-out cot on the floor,” Childers wrote. “ He also told me that he ate a strict vegetarian diet of porridge, fruit, rice and beans. At 73, the elder Brit is in amazing shape. He gets up at 4 a.m. almost every day, does 600 sit ups and runs or rides his bike to the local airport in Knoxville for exercise.

“As for housing, Stan rents an old school from Knoxville for $1 per year. The school is also the headquarters for RAM’s operations. RAM owns a fleet of mobile medical units, trucks and five airplanes. Stan nor his staff receives an income. The operation is ran solely through the work of volunteers and donations from private donors, families and non-governmental charities and organizations.

“As a matter of fact Stan has taken a vow of poverty. His passion for helping those who are suffering without means is what drives him. During a weekend expedition hundreds or thousands line up to take a number to come in to receive medical treatments. Most are uninsured, under-insured, homeless, helpless, young and old alike, no questions are asked.”

RAM will run at least 12 clinics a year, and will transport medical supplies via Stans World War II C-47 to Guyana several times a year as well.

Stan and others, like Dr. Diane Pitts, are working to get legislation passed in South Carolina that would allow RAM in our state. The challenge has been getting the state to allow licensed medical professionals from other states to work here in these clinics. Hopefully with exposure, this dream will become a reality.

While we were in Tenn. SCETV did a special on RAM and on our group from SC that went up to work that weekend. I was asked by their journalist if I thought people in SC would benefit from RAM coming to our state? I could say without hesitation a resounding “YES”. Not only because of my experiences that weekend and listening to the heart wrenching stories of the people who had waited all night to get glasses or see a doctor or dentist there, but because as an Optician and Lions Club member here in Gaffney, I’m all too aware of our county’s medical needs. Those people’s stories of job loss, insufficient insurance, sickness... are the same stories that I hear from people daily here in our county.

“However, just a couple days ago, I received word that the SC Hospital Association was meeting at Hilton Head to begin discussions on free clinics in SC. Many supporters of RAM feel like the starting and assured success of these clinics within our state will be a big step in ultimately creating realization amongst lawmakers and citizens of the need for additional free medical aid and support from outside our state.

“If you should have the opportunity to volunteer. I highly recommend doing so. Not only for the lives you will help change, but because of the life changing experience you will have. SCETV posts a list of free clinics in our state, and the volunteers that are needed, medical and non-medical. We all have something we can offer, if it’s just a bottle of water, a warm blanket, a listening ear, the monetary support to organizations such as RAM, or one of the many here locally in Cherokee County.”