The Power Of One

Many times I've heard, "What difference can I make? I'm just one person."

Dr. Gordy Klatt was just one person. Because of him and his determination to help as many people diagnosed with cancer as he could, and hopes of eventually finding a cure, Relay for Life was born.

A friend of mine in Canada has a son who is riding his bicycle across Canada to raise funds for research on phenylketonuria (PKU) – a type of amino acid disorder in which a person's body cannot break down phenylalanine from the food they eat. PKU can cause a host of medical problems. People with PKU must follow a very strict diet.

My friend's son set out with the goal of raising $25,000. He has collected almost four times that amount and his journey is not yet finished.

His motivation? His newborn daughter, who was diagnosed with PKU.

A young woman who went to college changed her major after one year. She decided she wanted to obtain a degree in youth ministry. Halfway through her college years, she told the woman who had been one of her teachers in Sunday school that she had changed her major because of that teacher. She said observing how deep her teacher's faith was and dedication to sharing it with young people had inspired her.

Other examples of how one person has made a difference include peope like Danny Thomas, Florence Nightingale, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who established the March of Dimes, and more.

Yes, you are only one person, but it only takes one person to make a difference.

More than anyone knows the simple actions or lifestyle or ideas of one person has made a huge difference in at least one life. And perhaps the difference made in that one life will grow to make a difference in many lives.