In 1978 researchers set up an experiment to examine the effects of diet on heart health. Over several months, they fed a high-fat diet to a group of rabbits and then monitored their blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol. The rabbits were all the same breed from New Zealand, from a virtually identical gene pool, and they each received equal amounts of the same food.

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As expected, most of the rabbits showed a buildup of fatty deposits on the inside of their arteries. To their surprise, however, there was one group of rabbits that had as much as 60 percent less buildup than the others.

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This unexpected outcome endangered the validity of the whole experiment. As the scientists pursued the reason for this result, they discovered that every rabbit with fewer fatty deposits had been under the care of one researcher. She had fed the rabbits the same food as everyone else, but in addition to feeding them, she talked to the rabbits and petted them.

 

It seemed unlikely that this could be the reason for the dramatic difference, but the research team could see no other possibility. So they repeated the experiment—this time tightly controlling for every other variable. When they analyzed the results, the same thing happened. The rabbits under the care of the loving researcher had significantly higher health outcomes.

 

There is a great principle illustrated in this experiment, which has been largely ignored by society of late. When people are sick and afraid, they need community support more than ever!

 

This is why EVCORE was founded; to fill a fundamental need in our community. Instead of allowing trials to isolate and frighten us, EVCORE seeks to build community by giving service in times of trouble. Many hands are needed to volunteer. Experience has taught us that we love those whom we serve. Each time we reach out to help a person in need, we create an important link of fellowship and caring. This is community at its best!

 

We are fortunate to live in a very special community where people do care about each other, and show it in many ways. Still, there are many people falling through the cracks in our medical system. Some are uninsured, some underinsured, some untrusting of medical establishments. For those newly diagnosed with a life-disrupting medical illness, this can be a catastrophic situation.

 

Our goal is to reach out to people in their homes who have temporary needs due to a medical problem. This includes nursing visits to assess a person’s situation and report findings to their primary health provider as appropriate. Volunteer Registered Nurses can teach about medications and what problems to look for and report. Also, if family or friends are not available to help, they can arrange for a volunteer to pick up prescribed medicine, run errands, deliver meals, shovel walks, bring in firewood, etc.

 

In north Lincoln County, we currently have five Registered Nurses working with various other volunteers to help those in need. Our local medical providers are caring and competent professionals, but are unable to give the time and attention to individuals that volunteers can give. As we work together to help each other, we all reap the benefits personally and as a community. Please consider helping us in whatever way you can!