The foundation works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but we’re an independent nonprofit organization created by Congress. We build partnerships and find resources to help the C.D.C. do its work faster and more flexibly. So most of my travel is bridge-building between donor programs and the C.D.C., or maybe I’ll fly out with an expert who will talk to people about chronic disease prevention or stopping the next pandemic.
Because I’ve been flying for so long, I remember when flying was glamorous. I would sit in this huge, comfortable seat in coach, and once the regional airline I flew held a wine-tasting on my trip from St. Louis to the District of Columbia. Now, like everyone else, I’m lucky if I get a cracker on a flight. But I enjoy flying and have never lost the appreciation of sliding up through dark clouds into sunshine.
Because I usually try to work on flights, I don’t talk to seatmates much. If someone starts a conversation, I’m polite. People are always curious about the C.D.C., and I always find it interesting when people start talking about movies like “Outbreak” or “Contagion” in which there is some C.D.C. connection. People loved “Outbreak,” but were more uncomfortable with “Contagion,” which is more realistic.
I travel to many countries, and I was just in Turkey. Through education and partnerships, including one with the C.D.C., fewer people in that country now use tobacco. I was there during the protests, which started to turn violent. I took a taxi back to the hotel after a ceremony I attended. We went down a lot of alleys to avoid the protesters, and I’m sure I saw parts of Istanbul few tourists have ever seen.
Given a chance, most people want to help someone, and it’s always reassuring to find just how good people can be, especially on a business trip.
Several weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, I flew to Gulfport, Miss., to meet with emergency response officials from the State Health Department. I had reservations to fly to Baton Rouge, La., for similar meetings. The Mississippi meetings went well, but downed trees and detours made it difficult to get back to the airport. I missed my flight to Baton Rouge and was desperately searching for a one-way rental car so I could make the drive.
Neither of the first two rental companies was willing to release one of the few vehicles in their inventory for a one-way trip. The representative at the third and last option apologized, but said no one-way rentals were available, either. But as I turned to leave, another gentleman behind the counter, who was the manager, told me to have a seat, and a few minutes later came back to tell me that although he couldn’t release a one-way vehicle, he would assign one of his employees to drive me the 140 miles to Baton Rouge. That employee would then return with the car.
Despite the commitment of a car, fuel and six hours of his employee’s time, he refused to accept any payment. By 11 p.m., I arrived in Baton Rouge at the home of a friend of a friend, who earlier in the day said, “My wife and I will be asleep when you arrive. Just take the last bedroom at the end of the hall.” I had never met this couple before, and to be honest I was blown away by everyone’s generosity.
By Charlie Stokes, as told to Joan Raymond. E-mail: joan.raymond@nytimes.com.
Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/25/business/depending-on-the-kindness-of-strangers.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
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