KGTV/San Diego's 10 and the Community Respond to a Clinic's Cry for Help
Dr. Therese Yang, a 1998 10 Leadership Award winner, sees more than 100 patients in a week, and never receives a paycheck. Her dream has been to take care of people who had trouble getting the care they needed. Most of her patients are too rich for Medical, yet too poor for health insurance. Some have no insurance at all. The Therese Yang Family Care Clinic in Santee, CA, provides medical attention to ease the suffering of San Diegans, often for those who need it most - and yet, the clinic itself suffers everyday. The clinic was in danger of closing its doors, but the community came to the rescue. KGTV's Creative Services Director, Don Wells, said, "This fundraiser was a clear example of leadership and KGTV's efforts to make San Diego a better place to live by standing up for those who need help to improve their quality of life."
The fundraiser collected over $85,000 in cash alone. As a community service, Bayview Hospital provided phone lines and personnel to answer the calls from a toll-free number which was available 24 hours a day to receive donations for the clinic. The clinic also received donations of much-needed medical supplies, equipment and volunteers. KGTV kicked off the fundraiser on Sunday, March 21, 1999, when it rebroadcast the original 1998 10 Leadership Award story of Therese Yang. Special stories about the clinic ran during the 5 p.m. news on the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, March 25th, KGTV broadcast live from the clinic during its morning, midday and evening newscasts to encourage viewers to make donations.
Individual donors expressed their appreciation for Dr. Yang and her efforts by pledging anywhere from $5 to $5,000. Donations ranged from children donating their allowances, to viewers pledging their tax returns. Additionally, local businesses such as Metabolife, Barona Casino, Jackelope, Stumps Apple Market, Cardio-Dynamics International, Mallinckrodt, San Diego Insider and many more, made generous contributions.
(Copied from a San Diego's 10, KGTV, news release dated March 30, 1999.)
