emilio a priority in all children s hospitals. thank you. [ applause ] in the united states, there is one doctor for every 413 people. in the african nation of cameroon, there is one doctor for every 5,000 people. in cameroon, most live in rural villages and often die from illnesses that are easily treatable because they lack access to medical care and they can t pay for treatment even if there is care. to introduce us to a hero who works tirelessly to bring health care to his country s poor, please welcome the chairman of the peace foundation which assists rural african communities with economic development, star of this season s boardwalk empire and the hunger games: catching fire, the very talented jeffrey wright. [ applause ] thank you.
new jersey because he played, allegedly, for a football team there, right? yeah. you re right. see that? and we both love our next hero because of what she has done for new jersey, changing the lives of more than 4,000 students in a city where too many people often give up on them. but not tawanda jones. when she was young, she struggled growing up. what helped her stay focused was the tough love she got from her family and her friends. they taught her self-respect and discipline, and she wanted others to have that kind of support, too. that s why tawanda started the candidates sophisticated sisters drill team and then a drum line for the boys. they have a safe place to go after school, they have some fun, and they agree to maintain a c average, complete 200 hours of community service, and they get their homework done. what happens when these kids meet and practice in their
our next hero met a 1-year-old boy with a brain tumor who needed frequent chemotherapy treatments. richard nares was stunned by how this boy and their mother made their way to the hospital. they would leave their home at 4:00 a.m., take four buses and arrive four hours later. after chemo with a weakened immune system, this little boy slept in his mother s arms as they would make the same long journey home. so, richard started to give them a ride in his trusted buick, and that ride led to many more. he started a foundation, bought a van, hired a driver, and provides more than 2,500 free rides for low-income families with children facing cancer. while they re in hospital, he also offers translation services, help buying lunch, and even enrolls them in the bone marrow donor network. for richard, this work is more than a moral calling.
they would make the same long journey home. so, richard started to give them a ride in his trusted buick, and that ride led to many more. he started a foundation, bought a van, hired a driver, and provides more than 2,500 free rides for low-income families with children facing cancer. he also offers translation services, help buying lunch, and even enrolls them in the bone marrow donor network. for richard, this work is more than a moral calling. it s personal. we live here. it s everyday treatment. i had no car. i had no nothing. i asked the doctors if i can do public transportation, and they say they wouldn t recommend it. she can get an infection. she can get really sick.
no child should miss their treatment due to lack of transportation. even though he s passed away almost 13 years, it s still like he s with me. to have emilio and to hold him and to be a father, it s almost like a dream. i see kids that remind me of emilio. i hear sounds like emilio will hear. but that s good. because he s here to make sure that i m doing the right thing. sometimes i wonder, you know, god, do i have to really do this because i lived it? but then i quickly say of course i do. when you re fighting for your child s life, nothing else matters. [ applause ] it s my honor to present cnn hero richard nares.