From a needy patient, thanks, RAM, for wonderful health care treatments

I would like to thank Stan Brock and his crew who came all the way from Tennessee with semi-trucks full of equipment, and all the other hundreds of wonderful, selfless volunteers who put on the RAM -- Remote Area Medical -- free medical clinic weekend at Manatee Technical College on Nov. 21-22.

What an extraordinary event! Free healthcare for all on a massive scale. Absolutely incredible. Everyone there was in non-stop motion all day long, going out of their way to be of assistance.

On Nov. 21, they gave out over 800 tickets for care, and I was No. 490. I received free of charge: a complete, thorough eye exam; two pairs of perfect eyeglasses, one of which is in a YvesSaintLaurent designer frame made in Italy; a flu shot; a medical checkup; a referral card for a test at a local medical office who has guaranteed free follow-up care; a voucher for a free mammogram at a local diagnostic center; a bag of fresh produce, and a bagged lunch.

I am a 58-year-old widow and really needed and appreciate all of these things.

Last Sunday I arrived at about the same time, just after 3 a.m., hoping to get dental work done that day, but at 4:30 a.m. it was announced that all 400 tickets they had allocated were gone. I didn't know of this planned reduction in the tickets for Sunday or I would have camped out in the parking lot all night, like many others did.

Nevertheless, I'm extremely grateful for the care I received on Saturday, and I understand they will be back next year for three days, Nov. 11-13. So I will be back, too.

In this Thanksgiving time, I'm so thankful for the kindness, generosity, and hard work put forth to help all those in need.

Sue Staron

Bradenton

This story was originally published November 29, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "From a needy patient, thanks, RAM, for wonderful health care treatments ."