This past Saturday the lovely Mrs. Junell and myself were fortunate to be among those in attendance at the Healthcare Champions banquet benefiting the Hispanic Wellness Coalition. And if ever there was a champion in local healthcare it is these folks. Led by Executive Director Anelia Banda, who has one of the most caring hearts of any individual on this planet, this organization is as dedicated to helping anyone they can live a healthier life. And I do mean EVERYONE. Don’t let the name mislead you.
While the organization was founded to address the specific health needs of the Hispanic community in North Texas, its services and programs are open to everyone. They are committed to serving and promoting health and wellness in diverse communities and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, or other factors. In other words, if you need help feeling better, they are there to do all they can possibly do. They also know how to throw a great party – and a well-deserved one, I might add. On Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Fort Worth Club they held their first such event to celebrate 25 years of being around.
They also raised some great money for their cause. In complete transparency, some of that came from the Mauch bank account (I have the cute flashing brooch to show for it) as Junell was determined not to be outbid for a really cool necklace she wore to church the next day.
“The question often arises, ‘Why do we continue doing what we do?'” Banda said. “Before my position with HWC, I was a volunteer (at wellness fairs). For many attendees, this fair was their annual medical checkup. For others, it was an opportunity for a diagnosis they might not otherwise receive.” She recalled one particular encounter during one of the fairs. A couple approached her inquiring about prostate screenings. “The woman’s eyes were filled with desperation, fear, and hope, while the man stood resigned and anxious,” she noted. “That couple has stayed in my mind ever since. “This moment encapsulates the essence of our mission: to provide hope and access to those in need.”
The event was also a celebration of a scholarship program the organization has begun. “Several years ago, I attended a symposium that opened my eyes to a critical issue within the professional, medical field. Conversations with fellow exhibitors revealed that this industry resembles a pyramid: there are numerous bilingual individuals at the entry level, but as one ascends into specialty fields, cultural understanding and language diversity diminish significantly,” Banda said. “Our goal with the scholarship program is to encourage bilingual medical professionals to take the next step in their careers, breaking through these barriers and ensuring more inclusive healthcare for all.”
So far Junell and I have lived a blessed life health-wise. We are far from perfect, but we do have insurance and exercise to help us on our path to what we hope will include being around to attend events like this for a long time still. My personal goal is to live to be 100 and shoot a 99 in golf. And, of course, Junell has to stick around just as long to hear me talk about it for at least 100 times (probably more). If, however, our situation changes – and in this ever-changing world, who knows? – it’s great to know Anelia and her folks are there to do everything in their power to step in and come to the rescue.
I hope you, likewise, are not in need of their services and that your life remains that way. It’s one of those jobs that we wish didn’t have to exist, but it does and it takes special people like Anelia and her organization to see that it’s done right and with heart. But it does exist, and many people are counting on them. Times are challenging for organizations like the Hispanic Wellness Coalition, but they still have plenty to celebrate.
