Stan Brock founded Remote Area Medical in 1985 with the simple motto: “Never forget the mission."
In 2018, Brock and his army of volunteers marked a milestone when they completed their 900th mission providing health care to those without.
“We’ve seen hundreds of thousands of patients over the last 34 years and the patients are absolutely marvelous," said Brock. “In fact, I would rather call them our friends than patients.”
RAM’s three decades of life changing work around the globe garnered recognition throughout the year. The Knox County Commission honored the charity with a resolution, and Congressman Jimmy Duncan introduced a bill to recognize RAM as a federally chartered organization.
When tragedy struck in 2018, RAM was among the first to jump into action.
They put a call out for much need supplies for people in Texas whose lives were devastated after storms dumped 18 inches of rain in 24 hours.
And when Hurricane Florence took aim at the Carolina coast, RAM was ready to deliver relief.
While helping those in need, RAM suffered a heartbreaking loss. On August 29th, founder Stan Brock died from a stroke. He was 82 years old.
RAM CEO Jeff Eastman says Brock was one in ten million people.
“He worked 24 hours a day and actually donated his social security check back to the organization each month.”
Even in their heartache as a new year begins without their leader, RAM volunteers remain committed to the mission -- Stan’s mission. They too will never forget.
“We will miss him as our figurehead and our mentor,” said Eastman. “But we will strive and work hard to make sure his legacy lives on.”