This Month:
These tiny Asian deer are also known as barking deer. When startled or excited they can sound like a dog barking. The muntjac has a long tongue and can use it like a giraffe to pull leaves off branches. |
... At the Zoo
The Meaning of Philanthropy
Philanthropy: (noun) Greek: Love of mankind
John and Dianne Miller, of Spec International in Oro Valley, generously donated the artificial grass that adds so much to the beauty and comfort of the outside plaza of the new Conservation Learning Center (CLC) at Reid Park Zoo. Not only is the turf aesthetically pleasing, it is environmentally friendly, keeping with the “greenness” of the CLC. This important gift represents a significant and valuable donation; but this story is not about the wonderful artificial grass, or how grateful we are to have it. This story is about the meaning of philanthropy.
In May 2004, Dianne Miller had been in a Phoenix hospital for nearly six
weeks awaiting a liver transplant. She was alive only through the miracle
of modern technology and her own will to live. Each passing hour was expected
to be the last for the 59 year old wife, mother, and grandmother.
At the same time, in Sonoma, California, a 24-year-old college student named Heather was living a full and active life. Heather was a lovely young woman, friendly, and very compassionate. College students are almost always short on cash, yet Heather often used her extra money to purchase blankets from the Salvation Army to distribute to homeless people. That is philanthropy – to give to those less fortunate even if you have little yourself.
Heather’s mother received the call every parent fears, yet none are ever prepared for. In her devastating grief, within minutes of being told that her beautiful daughter had died in an auto accident, she made the decision to donate Heather’s organs so that others may live. That is philanthropy – to altruistically put others before self.
With the gift of Heather’s liver, Dianne Miller began her journey back to life. It is not like it is on television. Dianne did not simply wake from her coma and continue with her life. Dianne had to start over; she had to re-learn how to walk and what her address was, simple things most of us take for granted. Yet, Dianne had made a promise to herself that if given a second chance at life she would be the best person she could be, and she would honor the donor who had given her the precious second chance by taking care of her body.
Although she had always been a good swimmer and tennis player, Dianne began training in earnest. Within three months she was playing competitive United States Tennis Association tennis. The USTA presented Dianne with their “USTA Courage Award” in 2006, after she won a gold medal in tennis in the USA Transplant Games. After presenting the award to Dianne, the USTA renamed the award “The Dianne Miller Courage Award.”
Dianne continued to compete in the Transplant Games, winning 14 gold medals in Australia in 2006, before heading to Bangkok, Thailand, this past summer where transplant recipients from 64 countries competed in Olympic style athletic competitions. There Dianne won four gold medals and set three world records in swimming, and one in high jump, an event she had never tried before. It is her custom that the first gold medal she wins in competition is given to Heather’s mother. The second gold medal is given to her husband, John, for his unwavering support.
Subsequent medals go to other family members and friends. That is philanthropy – appreciating the value of others and saying thank you.
Competing is not the only way Dianne gives back. She gives the gift of listening by mentoring others who are awaiting a transplant or have just received one. She also spreads the word about the need for registering as a donor now so that families do not have to make these decisions in their grief. Clearly, to John and Dianne Miller, creating awareness of organ donation is a significant part of their lives. It also represents a substantial monetary commitment as they pay their own expanses for travel and competitions. Yet when the Tucson Zoological Society reached out to John Miller for help with the new Conservation Learning Center, the Millers immediately responded with a donation of the much needed artificial grass. The zoo is not the Millers’ pet project, but they recognize the value of the zoo to our community. That is philanthropy – to give for the greater good.
The Tucson Zoological Society is about to embark on the African Expansion project, which will add seven acres to the Zoo and create a larger space for the elephants. We hope that our many zoo supporters will help us make this possible with a monetary donation; however, you might want to also visit azdonorregistry.org and register as an organ donor, and encourage someone else to do so as well. It will take less than three minutes, will cost nothing, and could be the difference between life and death for someone else. That is philanthropy – striving to increase the well-being of others.
Dianne and John Miller, young Heather and her mother are philanthropists each giving in their own unique way. We can all be philanthropists. It isn’t always about money, but it is always about the love of humankind.
Call for Reid Park Zoo Memberships and to Adopt an Animal: (520) 881-4753
© 2008 Good News Tucson
