We continue our Myth Series, here is #02

Early on in my life, I realized I was not a particularly brave person. Perhaps for that reason, I am obsessed with bravery. I devour spy novels as well as non-fiction about women and men who risked their lives to save Jews from the Nazis, or books and movies about soldiers who have performed amazing feats of bravery to save their comrades.

Nurses, physicians, hospital workers, and first responders are justifiably receiving accolades for their bravery and hard work during the COVID-19 crisis. Charitable workers put themselves on the front line working to positively impact the lives of people living in extreme poverty, in refugee camps, and in war-torn areas from Sudan to Yemen to Syria.

But I am very fortunate. In 2012, I came across Peter Singer’s The Life You Can Save and became aware of the fact that I could save lives by putting some of my own financial resources and efforts towards convincing other people to use their own funds to cost-effectively help those who are suffering and dying from causes related to extreme poverty. I learned that every year, 5.3 million children under five die and that more than half of these deaths could easily be prevented if these children were fortunate enough to be born where my own grandchild lives — in western Washington.

So in 2012, my wife and I asked Peter Singer if we could fund his nascent organization, The Life You Can Save, and help spread his message and save lives. I have been the volunteer executive director of the organization since 2013 and have had the privilege of saving lives, reducing suffering, and empowering livelihoods through using financial resources my wife and I were lucky to have and through the hard work of helping to grow donations to amazing nonprofits like the ones we recommend — mostly from the comfort of my own home.

Whether you are brave or not, you can join us in this effort to help reduce suffering, save lives and empower livelihoods of people living in extreme poverty.

Do Good. Feel Good.