We Are Sharing Hope SC chief executive officer David DeStefano recently sat down with Ben Ari of Thrive Global to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and the heroes who have stepped up during this global crisis.
As part of Ari’s Heroes of COVID Crisis series, DeStefano was tasked with exploring the meaning of “heroism” in today’s times, and who he considers heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A hero is someone who exhibits inspirational traits without being cognizant of them. Organ and tissue donors are heroes because they offer second chances to those in need and they do so altruistically, never able to be recognized for the gift they’ve given others. In that same sense of the word, the staff at We Are Sharing Hope SC are heroes because they continue to serve the people of South Carolina on the front lines of the COVID-19 because they know our donor families and transplant recipients are depending on them. They do so each and every day.” – David DeStefano, We Are Sharing Hope SC
DeStefano also delved into his concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and how he hopes to emerge together, stronger than ever.
“I think I am most concerned about the uncertainty that surrounds this pandemic. It is difficult to plan and to adjust with this much uncertainty. Whether it is uncertainty in the data, the virus projections or the expectations surrounding this pandemic, it all creates noise that causes confusion for all of us.
Another concern is the uncertainty once infected. As you know, this virus affects different people differently. For some, it’s like a cold, for others a life altering or even ending ailment. That variability is the scariest thing about this pandemic for me. It makes it difficult to find the best way to protect our SHSC staff and/or to protect our families. I have always had great faith in humanity and the strength and goodness of the human condition. I am confident that once this is over and the pandemic is behind us, we will be stronger together.
We will all have shared this experience as a community, as a society and as a global population. We will have our own shared experience that will help us feel closer and more connected to one another.” – David DeStefano, We Are Sharing Hope SC
To read the full interview, click here.
