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He who cures a disease may be the skillfullest, but he that prevents it is the safest physician.
-Thomas Fuller

There is no good theory of disease that does not at once suggest a cure.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cure sometimes
Treat often
Comfort always
-Hippocrates

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.
- Thomas Edison

In the beginning it seemed like building a castle in the sky. How could natural health professionals reach millions of people, alert the masses abou the importance of sustainable and natural health care?

We, the peeps at the Helfgott Research Institute, felt like the method of contact needed to embody originality and creativity; a beautiful expression that also reflected the uniquenes of our medicinal practices. Snailmail is a favorite pastime of my own, and somehow my brain led me to believe that this strategy was our golden ticket. But discovering what message would be delivered and to whom, literally, invaded my walking and waking dreams for weeks. One day at our weekly Helfgott meeting, a subtle spark fled, flipped a switch (probably turned loose a screw) and “Operation Oprah” was born: a campaign designed around cards for Oprah Winfrey. If we could get Oprah’s attention, then perhaps, just perhaps, millions of viewers, logically concerned about the health of family and friends, could begin to help one another make personal steps towards discovering natural forms of healing. “Butterflies” upon the cards captured just that.

Butterflies are symbols of change, as it is an organism that can completely alter its physical nature, a metamorphosis, with the end product being a graceful and beautiful entity.

The practices held at the Helfgott Research Institute and the information about natural medicine taught at the National College of Natural Medicine represent the art of medicine; the cradled crystallis ripe for a reemergence. Currently our health care system is in dire need of change; preventable diseases are becoming chronic and unmanageable, the public’ needs are not being met, and laundry lists of side effects from medications are becoming the norm. This is NOT how medicine needs be, in actuality, natural methods exist and are capable of treating illnesses, big and small.

Our philanthropic passions remain reflected in these cards, as no short cuts were taken in the construction or process at any point during the entire extent of the project. Each card created for Oprah was handmade and tied with a silky ribbon: each butterfly took 3 layers of stenciling and sketching, no butterfly looks like another, no message inside the card is the same, and each card was individually mailed in a handwritten, quadruple stamped envelope to Ms. Oprah Winfrey herself.All of this effort was to echo the uniqueness of each contributor’s voice; to echo the uniqueness of every patient and the corresponding treatment plan to restore health; and to echo the belief that individuals have the power to make a difference, especially when the cause is great. In the astute words of Margaret Mead:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

The following in an archive of the emails sent during this time period. Know that this effort was not accomplished by one person, rather a collective of concerned individuals.

Each of us truly believed (and still do!) that a change in health care is not only necessary, but possible. I am forever grateful for the compassion expressed in this project. To this day, I still get stopped by strangers asking about the status of Operation Oprah.

My personal favorite question: “have I heard from Oprah yet?” brings a smile every time.

Operation Oprah is a success, as it combined the active force of a 1000 individuals (even more if you count the mailmen and paper suppliers) all working together for the central idea of change. Enjoy and spread the word of a health care revolution. Simply imagine the impact if we keep the dialogue going! Benevolent health care is a basic human right.

Be well,
C. Biscuit

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Communique Dated: 4.5.2007
Subject: operation oprah

Kimberly and Jenna, I cannot remember which of you two beautiful ladies is responsible for sending out information on the student and faculty list serves. I have an email that needs to get out sooner than later. A lot of questions are being generated about the butterflies, and I’d like to clarify on a formal setting. So, why not email?

The message needs to get to students, faculty, and administrative offices. I tried to reach everybody with my butterfly speech, but a few slipped through the cracks. Could you help me out?

c. biscuit

Here’s the message:
_______________________________________________

Undated communique

So,

By now the buzz is all about NCNM: operation Oprah is underway… the code name is actually project 61 at this point, if you want to be hip and cool about it in conversation circles, but that’s entirely up to you. I prefer to chaotically oscillate betwixt the two to keep things interesting.

Here’s the low down:

1. Each of you has a unique opportunity to write a letter ____directly to Ms. Oprah Winfrey_____ detailing why you feel that awareness in natural medicine is important. This can mean a number of things depending on your background. Feel free to be creative within the winged folds of your card. The basic idea: your inspiration = inspiration for others. Some ideas I’ve heard floating around: poems, collage, why you chose to study natural medicine….
2. You can drop off your message in the boxes located on the first floor of the Ross Island Campus. Look for the balloons, play with the balloons, and decide which box is appropriate for your butterfly. One box says, “mail directly” this means it will be mailed to Oprah without an extra step. If you wish to be involved with the extra step then you’ll put your card into the box labeled, “photocopy first for scholarship book.” This second box is for those individuals interested in submitting words into a book, like the Chicken Soup for the Soul idea; profits will go to individuals desiring to pursue natural medicine, yet need financial assistance. Your card will still get to Oprah.
3. We would like to have your messages turned in by Wednesday of next week, that’s week 2, hump day. The second stage of enveloping, loving, and mailing will be a big task. We’d like to send them off with a bang; that means all butterflies in attendance for the final Bon voyage _____no later____ than Wednesday of wk 3. Your awareness for the logistics in this matter is greatly appreciated. Straggling butterflies will be accepted on a case-by-case basis, yet be aware that wild rabid poodles or similar justification is mandatory when detailing its lateness. No exceptions.
4. You did not get a butterfly card? We have extras in the bookstore.
5. You have local friends/practitioners/relatives interested in submission, too? Fabulous. We have extras in the bookstore.
6. You’ve been to the bookstore, and we’re out of butterflies, what do I do? Email me. I shall promptly whisk myself away from the glorious confines of my cubicle life to attend to such important matters.
7. You have friends and family interested that live outside the Portland area? We have tidy packages located in the bookstore, these contain brief descriptions of both projects, simple easy-to-understand directions about how and when to mail, and a self-addressed envelope.
8. You want to help spread the gospel word of butterfly madness? Wonderful, you can do so individually through word of mouth, feel free to take a few and distribute and collect from patients/random people/clinic supervisors and follow the most appropriate method to ensure a safe flight.

You guys are awesome. I can just imagine the looks on all the faces. Ha!

☺ c. biscuit

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Communique Dated: 4.10.2007
Subject: Operation Oprah- butterflies

BUTTERFLIES DUE WEDNESDAY APRIL 11TH!!

We are one day away from the hump-day deadline.

I have a grand total of 50 butterflies turned in. yes, only 50. that’s 50 out of a 1000ish. For math geeks out there, it’s an enormous 5% return….

Fear not, I have not lost hope, for I truly understand the lifestyle of an affiliate of NCNM, from the perspective of both the student and now as an employee. Life gets busy.

I am assuming that the grandness of your words has left your heart stunned of the possibility that you, too, can create an impact in health care. In fact, this opportunity is basically sitting in your lap; it can be intimidating. I can understand the awesomeness of this feeling, relish in it.

Now:

Back to the butterflies.

Not to make you all feel rushed, but this is a simple reminder that we need them in pronto. Pronto-pronto, if we wish to have the impact of 1000 all at once, individually mailed, to land on Oprah’s doorstep next week. The grand-scale of wow! is part of the strategy.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Write a message to oprah
2. Turn your beloved butterfly in tomorrow.
3. It’s that simple.
4. Extensions will make me sad, but if you need an extension, please let me know.

Please don’t forget that we love and support you and your efforts working towards natural medicine. Butterflies = awareness. This is a splendid opportunity to make natural medicine a household concept, and an avenue for a blossoming sustainable health care system. Marinate on that.

c. biscuit
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Communique Dated: 4.11.2007
Subject: Extension - Operation Oprah

I know that deadlines make just about everyone freak out. I am no exception, hence the butterfly dreams. So…

An extension is granted, friends. The new and absolute last deadline is next Tuesday.
If you cannot make this time frame, please email me directly. Note that rabid poodles explanations are expected; flowers and cookies are appreciated.

An aside:
Please know that it was never an intention to add stress. A few of the emails I’ve gotten relate to just that, I am sorry. Breathe. This is not meant to add to your plate of “things to do.” I felt like this project would be like the dessert, a time to reflect on the potentials and flavors of your passions. I realize that you all wish to be thoughtful, which is awesome. Know that what moves your heart, what instills passion for your pursuits in natural medicine, will flow pen to paper if you set aside a few minutes to do so. Perfectionists, I know you’re out there (and that’s okay, I have perfectionistic qualities, too) please don’t become hindered by the fact that Oprah will read your words. She loves everybody, and anything you write will be “just what the doctor ordered” because it comes from the heart.

Please also know that this time frame coordinates with people outside the Portland area, and those letters will be going out the 3rd week in April. I am attempting to coincide with those winged friends. The idea is to have enough arrive all at once; produce a creative, overwhelming impact in the daily letters that Oprah must receive every day, which I am assuming is a lot.

I send to each of you tremendous gratitude and appreciation for all your thoughts and kindness on this project. Again, please remember that this meant to be fun; my “mother henning” as one politely put it, is only with my best intentions for the cause. Truth be told, I dislike organizing and attention to the nitty-gritty is not something I delight in. I understand the chaos of everyday life, especially that associated with NCNM, fear not. There is no whip involved. Move effortlessly through project 61, the other side is significantly brighter.

Bigger and better can be achieved and is on the radar. Bite-sized baby steps first my friends.

c. biscuit

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Communique Dated: 4.11.2007
Subject: Extra Butterflies

We are officially out of butterflies. Yes, alas, it’s true.

The response is overwhelming, and I would dislike leaving any thoughts behind. Especially if you or someone you know if truly inspired by this project.

Here’s the deal. I am willing to make more butterflies, but I wish to be efficient with my time.

Please email me or stop by my cubicle to let me know how many you would like to have, a sign up sheet will be provided. Also, I will provide the inserts, the papers cut-to-size for a message in the meantime. That way you can write, be creative, and have it in by the glorious, new fandangled deadline of Tuesday, April 17th.

All numbers for butterfly requests need to be received by Friday April 13th at 5pm.

I have no qualms about making more; in fact, it makes me feel tingly all over.

Thanks for the communication of what’s desired for Operation Oprah; I’m trying to accommodate everyone’s requests, and it keeps me aware of what is needed by all butterfly constituents.

c. biscuit

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Communique Dated: 4.16.2007
Subject: Something Urgent!

Simple reminder that the butterflies (that shall change the world of health care)
are due tomorrow, that is Tuesday, April 17, 2007 by 5pm.

Thanks for all those that chose to participate. I have an appointment with the postman to give the final tattoo before their solo flights to Chicago that cannot be missed; I wish for everyone’s butterfly to get the last stamp and to ensure a safe flight. I will personally see to these envelopes’ wellbeing. That will be the last we shall see of them until contact. I must admit, I’m already experiencing a bit of empty nest syndrome, perhaps Oprah will allow visitation rights.

This is the most inspiring project I have ever had the pleasure of being part of…. Thank you for believing in the magic. I can tell that so many other “hearts” are involved with project 61; there is no doubt that these beauties shall make a big impact in the medical profession. Stay true to the values that we learn; sustainability is on the way.

c. biscuit

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Communique Dated: 4.16.2007
Subject: Two-Fifty

Hi all–
Together, we hand-made 1000 butterfly cards. But only 250 have been returned for mailing tomorrow. Do you have one? Can you please write a few words and drop it off? It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. The impact of this project is dependent on volume. If you see a friend who has a card, please remind them. TOMORROW!!!

I’ve had the opportunity to read a few of the cards that have been written and I’m so impressed with all of you. Thank you! I love being at an institution that has passion in its walls. Now let’s expand outside our walls… only you can make this happen...

Remember, intention is good, but it only works if it’s followed by action. ACT NOW!

Thanks again!

Heather Z
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Communique Dated: 4.17.2007
Subject: This one’s for you, Mr. Grey

Assignment Computer Bug:

So.

I got to thinking. My hands are essentially covered in envelope glue and I have sustained a few butterfly paper cuts. And yet, my thoughts drift to you and the possibilities of what you might achieve for the continuation of the operation oprah schemes. And I got to thinking about another angle to alert oprah about our arena. I mean, our medicine and philosophies speak for themselves, but in essence, we need to get “past the guards.”

So, from a purely “Art of War” perspective, we need to alert the guards, ie the glorious mail readers (wouldn’t you just love to have that job?). How to do this? Perhaps something that is a little insidious, but not too over the top, something that they would probably check anyway. Say email?

I got word through the grapevine that you are well-versed in these matters. Your skill is legendary, my friend, and I would like to employ you with the more secretive phase, the follow up to project 61 (Operation Oprah), aptly named “Assignment Computer Bug.”

Now, this phase is by no means meant to be aggravating, rather subliminal, a way to get “butterfly” in the primal medulla oblongata, if you will. I believe that your creative wisdom is better able to choose the right words for assignment computer bug. I thought that if they caught on to the bombardment of email, the title of the email would at least be seen, perhaps we can be witty with that one, switch it up a bit; and the body of the text would either a) be blank, b) have a butterfly image, or c) what ever you felt would be most appropriate for the job, poetry about butterflies? health care? I’m at a loss, I was thinking something like:

Title of email: time to see butterflies/ butterfly madness/ there’s a fly in my butter/ flutter by….
I imagine that we would want to do this either soon, in two distinct bursts, at the latest by this Friday.

What do you think?

c. biscuit

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Communique Dated: 4.18.2007
Subject: Re: this one’s for you, Mr. Grey

You gossamer soul! It’s early and I’ve no brain cells to consider your wonderful plan. I will let it incubate for a few hours and get back to you.

Short answer: if we do it right it could be both (a) impactful and (b) not annoying.

Mr. Grey

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Communique Dated: 4.19.2007
Subject: Two flies… are butter than one!

If you still have a butterfly, there’s time! Next organized deadline is Thursday April 26th by 5pm!
Read below for more details….

So, my dear friends, affiliated with NCNM, Helfgott and surrounding clinical practices of the Portland Metro area, we are broadcasting, live from cubical 2, butterfly central.

Project 61 (Operation Oprah) was a success!

You are receiving this broadcast because: you… are… exceptional! That’s right folks, you are part of the elite few that will know the latest rundown of operation oprah. This ain’t no syndicate show, this is the real deal, real time, ALL da time. And to keep you all real, off your toes and solidly on the ground: I have the latest low down of what happened yesterday in China town:

(the suspense is getting to you isn’t it?)

A grand total of 672 butterflies flew this week! 421 from the Portland area and 251 from other national cites, extending from New York, Ohio, the slow banks of the Mississippi, and the dry crusty deserts of Arizona to name only a few! Our populations of writers extended from patients, partners, parents, and friends; doctors of all backgrounds and even a few affable gypsy types…!

What happened in our immediate community, you all ask?

Well, Heather Z walked through the halls, winged and tattooed, with a box of 421 butterflies in tow. All she passed blessed our thoughtful thoughts. And I must stress, that she wore wings. Ain’t it great what a little devotion can convince someone to do? Big special thanks to Heather for her lengthy trek with a weight-lifting load of love.

Stealthily, in a grinning miata, the box of butterflies took to the roads, weaving amongst the rain droplets, guided by full ROY G. BIV rainbow. The bow, by friends, no kidding, stemmed out of the Hoyt Center Post Office, the final Portland destination of our beloved butterflies. Ken was our Mr. Postman. The appointment was double booked, and the oprah cards shared the same table with a nurse from OHSU, Lisa; she was sending out wedding invitations, coincidently we had the some things in common: she had a desire to see a difference in health care and had multiple postage stamps! I know, crazy world! Working counter space was limited, people stopped and stared asked about our mission, ___everyone___ supported our undertaking and thanked us deeply for our cause. Lisa’s stacks representing the order and symmetry of godliness, ours I’m afraid looked like utter chaos. BUT, nonetheless, all remained delicately beautiful, and I’m not smudging here, inked with a lovely stamp from the city of roses. Departure was approximately 4:45 PM, Pacific Standard Time, from the zip of 97208.

It has come to my attention that some butterflies needed a little bit more attention before the April 18th flight time. That is fine, by our calculations, there is an additional 300 butterflies that remain unaccounted for within our NCNM community. Wow! that’s a lot of unused butterflies! Let’s put those cards to use in a second flock of butterfly madness. I will make another appointment with Mr. Postman Ken. If you or someone you know still has a butterfly, you can still be part of the health care revolution!

Please note that our strategy of getting Oprah Winfrey’s attention is not finished yet!

“Assignment computer bug” is underway, and involves covert operations by Mr. Grey; he’s our top secret operative, embedded deeply in the matrix of mayhem that comprise internet communications. Stay tuned to the latest in tactical developments

Great job everyone, I am overwhelmed by all the investments of time, effort and light….

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Communique Dated: 4.20.2007
Subject: RE: this one’s for you, Mr. Grey

Ok. Mr. Grey, I have discussed the details of assignment computer bug with Heather.

Is it to add to the effort of the butterflies? To presage them like an electronic drumroll?

The purpose of the butterflies will address both!

In regards to finding out more of the email addresses, for additional staff, etcetera, we should not hack into the system too much. I suggest we stick with all available resources. Even if the butterfly comments are not directly related to say “quality control” staff, all people are affected by health care, and coming strictly from the grass-roots approach, everyone is technically involved. Our message affects literally everyone. They may not know this now, but when the butterflies have their moment in the sun, all will make sense. A lot of the strategy is to entice intrigue, make them think and be intellectually involved with the opening of the mail. I’m sure the task gets a little overwhelming, perhaps even monotonous, but this approach will add a little spice to their jobs. I mean, if you were the janitor of one of the largest companies in Chicago, and you feel like you aren’t a part of the organization, and suddenly you start getting the butterfly email’s too, I think I’d feel special.

I like your avoiding spam ideas, your titles look good. Wittiness is something that I like, in the very least, even if it does get deleted, it will put “butterfly” in the brain. Both NCNM and Helfgott have the best intentions with this project, that’s for sure. I feel that the power of operation oprah truly does come from the individual and in turn in directed to the individual. For this reason, we are avoiding all formal promotional techniques, like newspapers and PR stuff.

It’s not about promotion, it’s about a central cry for change in the status quo of our medicated world. Universal sustainable health care for all, my friend!

Both Heather and I felt like next Monday we could begin the assignment computer bug campaign. We could start with 3 per week, each person receiving, then ramp it up to at maximum levels be one to two a day; this could occur in about 3-4 weeks time. What do you think?

☺
c. biscuit
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Communique Dates 4.20.2007
Re: Re: This one’s for you, Mr. Grey

Roger. So - let me make sure I’ve got this straight. The idea of the electronic “wing” of the campaign is to send some subtle info along on the rarified substance of the internet - to touch deeply whomever it reaches and to contribute to the butterfly vibe raining down (like so many well wishes) on the hearts and minds of the Oprah staff.

Now the numbers you’ve given (3 a week to begin, ramping to 1-2 a day… we have 3 email addresses I can see) would require only a small dedicated band of individuals, or perhaps only one - really. Is that the idea? So it’s a different deal, really, than 61. There the hope was to get as many different thoughts flying to show that there is real support among real people for this real need. Here it’s more a hope to add to that effort by raising further awareness of the flight of the butterlies…

Mr. Grey
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Communique Dated: 4.23.2007

And may I also ask for a personal favor, one to keep my butterfly mind calm in the chaotic-ness of last minuteness, could one of you guys make an announcement about the butterflies? They’re due today by 5pm.

… and if someone forgot, I will accept late ones, with a mandatory wildly spun yarn explanation.

c. biscuit

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Communique Dated: 4.24.2007
Subject: a sigh

The meat of the message:

I will be accepting the last official installment of butterflies this
Thursday April 26th, 5pm.

The latest, up-to-datest for the butterfly campaign:

Estimates of the total butterflies sent hover around 700. wow! way cool dudes, way cool. I would like to take this moment of feeling awesome to state the following, in the most neutral way possible:

There is a shortage of blank butterflies. I have had _numerous_ requests to secure one of the blankies, yet I no longer have the funds nor time to dedicate to making more. I know that blankies are out there, somewhere, beneath the deep blue sky…we have approximately 250 stamped envelopes ready to go, but lack sustenance. A simple request: if you are in possession of a blankie and wish not to participate, please take a brief moment to recycle the butterfly back into the population, you can easily do this by migrating into school, and drop it off in one of the designated drop zones: in front of the library and in cubicle 2, located in helfgott’s butterfly headquarters. Thank you. This simple gesture will alleviate a lot of undue nervous butterfly tension.

As for yesterday’s big news:
The saying goes, you cannot judge a book by its cover; however, we all know that the content is certainly helped if the cover has a bit of bling. Tactfully, we took advantage of such obvious knowledge and perhaps employed a bit of reverse psychology, thus making a rather ornate and over-the-top hand-bound book out of Heather’s personal letter to Oprah Winfrey. For the bibliophiles out there, here are the details: her words dripped from the tip of a V-5 ink pen onto a classic howard linen; les lexes were wrapped in a gauzy orange flutter further bound betwixt a nebulous of golds, aquas, and teals, swirling in a similar pattern to that of a butterfly wing. All of this was covered in a cork cambium of crinkly brown, neatly labeled in a hard-written format:

“A Genuine Cause.”

But what about the sandpapered package that I blessed yesterday? Well, the sandpaper package got a sandpiper stencil put on it.
“A sandpiper on the sandpaper package?” said the hare to the pear. “Now that’s a harebrained idea: a sandpiper on a sandpaper package…”.
“No, silly rabbit, a _butterfly_ was placed gingerly upon the ginger colored sand sculpture,” said the pear to the hare.

There you have it, utter nonsense that somehow ended up making sense. Speaking of cents, the sandpapered package had a grand total of 39 glorious buckeyed butterfly stamps interlaced with four 10 cent clock stamps stuck haphazardly into the designated upper right corner of its planar surface.

My reign of being the butterfly contact is speedily coming to a close. I would like to focus my efforts on the next big harebrained idea, assignment computer bug, I must go now an discuss the details with Mr. Grey.

c. biscuit
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Undated communique of relevance to the project at hand

I am not a spammer, just so’s you all know:

Please send in your objection!!!

There is a crisis in health freedom. On April 30, 2007 the FDA will close the public comment period on a “Guidance” which will classify every alternative practice as medicine so that only licensed physicians can carry out the procedure AND vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc., will suddenly become “untested drugs” which will be forbidden.

Bad? Real Bad! But public outcry can stop this assault on your health and your freedom.

Spread the word! Tell everyone in your Circle of Influence, professionals, alternative practitioners, nutrient and herb companies, everyone! Let them know how important their participation is to make sure the FDA backs off from this repressive course.

Please share this link with them and urge them to take action

Yours in health and freedom,

Rima E. Laibow, MD
Medical Director
Natural Solutions Foundation
www.HealthFreedomUSA.org
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Communique Dated Monday, April 30, 2007 6:11 PM
Subject: Time span for the electronic wing?

Hey - how long are we going to roll this electronic wing of the
campaign? I’d say another week is fine. Then if we do another burst
of butterflies or something, we could pick it up again?

Want to know another thing we could do? I know a number of our
students are bloggers. Well, at least I am. And everyone should be.
Because it’s fun. But it would be cool if we could get someone who’s a
design-type person to make a banner or button of some kind to associate
with the campaign. Then people who blog at NCNM (or have websites,
blog or not) could put that button/banner on their site and if they
have a blog, write a short thing about the campaign - or even just put
a picture of a butterfly or a quote or whatever. And the button could
be overt or covert - befitting the character of the current “wing” of
the campaign.

The thing is, if a bunch of folks were to do this, it would start getting Google hits. And I betchya money that when Oprah’s people are looking for ideas for shows, and they get something in the mail - and wonder what it is, etc… they check Google. I know I do for just about everything.

We could even make a couple of blogs just for the butterflies. It
would be so so easy. We could just put up people’s thoughts on natural
medicine, or just quotes of butterflies, or images… or combinations.

Mr. Grey
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Communique Dated: 5.1.2007
Subject: holey health care batman!– a leak!!

Well, Mr. Grey, what to say…

Here’s what I’ve been doing on the paper trail of things:
We have approximately 120 stamped envelopes remaining that are addressed to oprah. The postage rates change on May 14th from 39 to 41 cents. As far as I’m concerned, these envelopes will go with our without us, so we may as well take advantage of the situation.

As for your electronic wing campaign, I’d say another week is fine. Who really knows how long it takes to actually get through the long run of emails she must get on a daily basis… I’ve started to receive outside letters, and I’m not at all as popular as she is; I’m guessing we have a good solid 2-3 weeks of popularity time to contend with. So. Another week to week and a half sounds appropriate for your daily borage of enlightening butterfly facts.

Your blog thing sounds wonderful. I am already working towards something similar. My wonderful father has volunteered his time to create a web page for the advent of butterfly madness on oprah. The webpage will be simple in design, stating our mission, our reasons for prompting changes, and all the altruistic connotations that go along with revolutionizing health care. Eventually, I see this as a way for the public to purchase the chicken soup for the soul sort of book (the compilation of letters to oprah), and raise the money for scholarships of individuals desiring an education in natural medicine. Moreover, I see this website as a conduit for our alumni to reach out in community service expeditions, inform and educate our patient base with lecture learn series, support local sustainable herbal and produce shops, etc.

There is no trustworthy on-line source of natural medicine out there really. Our goals are simple: compassion for humanity is an underlying vital aspect to our medicine. So, let’s organize and provide an outlet for everyone to see what we can offer. It is essentially really simple, but will require cooperation on many different levels. Coming at it from your blog idea would be nice too. I believe that your knowledge of the internet system, Mr. Grey is where we will get a lot of momentum behind our cause. If you feel the blog will do this, then go forth.

We would like to cover all forms of media, internet and household homes are currently targeted, and plans of contacting through names like public broadcasting’s bill moyers and the radio system (scripts for prairie home companion and this American life are in the works, too, and you just know that the artistic over-the-top touch is involved…) are underway; moreover, a matrix spoof is in progress for michael atkins. Pod casts of lectures are also being created….

c. biscuit

While the media is still too often dominated by discouraging reports on all
fronts there is a tidal change in progress, we just may be approaching
a tipping point of sorts.

Two examples have transcended the bounds
of what I call the “already-converted”

Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma. An Inconvenient Truth was able to reach a mass audience with his message of the need for each of us to make different choices regarding our energy usage. The movie precipitated unprecedented dialogue in Washington D.C., in homes, corporate boardrooms and classrooms across the country. Even within our own community at NCNM we are taking
a good look at our energy choices and considering making much needed changes.

At the same time The Omnivore’s Dilemma struck a major chord in the country regarding the nature (or de-nature) of our national food supply; and, equally important, he offered compelling and sensible alternatives. Again, this work was able to speak to more than the already-converted. While still gaining much deserved applause from the sustainable food movement’s amen corner Pollan was also able to connect with an audience not necessarily inclined towards “organic food” or “sustainable agriculture.” I know this to be true for one concrete reason. My Dad, not a big supporter of movements of any sort, a dedicated salad avoider, a begrudging consumer of my Mom’s weekly farmer’s market trips and excellent cooking (he would be just as happy with a Dominoes pizza), devoured Pollan’s book.

Not only did he devour it, he promptly phoned me to tell me he thought it was the most important issue facing our nation and he wondered aloud how could he get involved.

Not to mention The Omnivore’s Dilemma was both a popular and critical success and this is near impossible in the book world today.

People are literally starving for change.

However, this change needs
to be tasteful.

It needs to be prepared for them and presented with the creativity and good care of a chef cooking for her or his family on a special occasion. A good meal is a story all its own and we
remember them fondly. This change needs to be nurtured as a good meal is nurturing. Pollan and Gore where successful because to differing degrees they told a compelling story, there was a narrative thread that people understood and it was riveting and well done. We are hardwired to respond to a good story well told, stories can transcend all sorts of boundaries, especially if they involve the realities of, and are told in the language of regular folks. Unfortunately, the voice of natural medicine has been muted in this cultural discourse.

This is true while more out of pocket money is spent annually on “complimentary and alternative” medicine then on conventional medicine.

I have a personal belief that people are inspired more by the opportunity to have a good time then out of fear and that common sense transcends impassioned argument (which I too often fall into). I also find good old-fashioned hard work with other people to be fun. The Helfgott Research Institute in Portland, OR is currently envisioning a way of unifying the impact of NCNM’s tremendous volunteerism within our larger community. And here is where we sit on the cusp of a great opportunity.
Portland is a hot-bed of civic activism, there are abundant examples of small local
organizations taking matters into their own hands and solving problems, and at least some of the time having fun and building a stronger sense of community while doing it, which in and of itself is healing. Many of the people who work at and attend NCNM are part of these groups and many more want to be.

Natural medicine has a vision that ties together the two threads so well presented by Gore and Pollan and yet people rarely make this connection in the general population.

Even though people may be ardently in favor of making changes in the environment and personally committed to doing so and want to support their local food chain, they might not see the connection between this and their health-care choices. The sustainable and organic food movement has been successful because on some level they have been able to de-polemicize their mission and yet still be able to increase awareness about the importance of local and sustainable agriculture and create more access to good food. This, while at the same time helping local and small-scale farmers become more successful and increase the size of their market. Something similar is happening relative to climate change, it has been pitched not as fundamentalism but common sense. In part they have been able to do this by aligning themselves down in the trenches with the people they hope to help and hearing from them what the existing barriers are.

Common sense speaks across all sorts of boundaries that otherwise might isolate people.

It just makes sense to purchase green power or light bulbs that use less energy, to ride your bike more. All these (and much more) are choices that people are willingly making everyday.

With a unified vision and concerted effort we can do an excellent job of demonstrating to the general public the way natural medicine weaves seamlessly into values they already hold. Just this week a group of NCNM people spent the day at City Hall spreading awareness about how cool natural medicine is. There are huge problems with health care in this country and most people are dissatisfied with the care they receive. Add to this that conventional medicine takes a dramatic toll on the environment, hospitals being one of the largest polluters wherever they are found.

Even if we ignore the medicine administered and just focus on the toxic nature of the waste and the amount of it, conventional medicine is an environmental issue.

This is a time that is ripe for us to get the word out in a positive and proactive way about who we are and how we do things.

One of the tenets of our medicine is that we listen to people’s story; we take the time to hear about our patients’ lives. We can be a powerful presence throughout the Portland Metro area by simply involving ourselves in our communities or in communities where we recognize there is a need, and show up first and foremost to listen to their stories. And then ask them how we can help. I am reminded of the Brazilian Liberation Theologist Paulo Freire’s work teaching literacy to sugarcane workers in Brazil. His method was to use the realities of his students’ everyday life as their “textbook.” He was able to achieve functional literacy in forty-five days and at the same time empowered people to define and begin to envision solutions to their problems. The natural health community is already playing an important role in addressing many of the problems our culture is facing and yet with a bit more focus the work we are already doing can reach a wider and wider audience and we can do much to remove the barriers between the natural medicine community and the general population. NCNM and the Helfgott Research Institute have the potential to take the lead in establishing the relevance of our medicine to larger segment of the public, and as part of the solution to more than just our country’s health problems.

This is exciting and will most likely hasten the approaching tipping
point.

Michael

To the community at large,

One topic that everyone can agree on is that being sick is not fun.

In fact, most people suffer from chronic ailments that impact daily life. Some of these aliments are so disruptive that people cannot function and require the assistance of medications, where costs can amount to more than a monthly food bill! If you just stop to think about that simple and very real scenario, you understand why I am writing. Our current health care system needs help. As a society, we cannot meet the needs of our public; disease states are unmanageable and result in qualitative and economic hardships that affect both the individual and the public at large. Other sources for healing should be assessed and addressed, in order to meet the rising concerns and costs associated with health and wellbeing. Portland has tremendous potential to fill the gaps that exist in health care, and here’s how:

We have a wealth of knowledge about natural forms of medicine within our own community, and it is right at our fingertips.

The Helfgott Research Institute (Helfgott) and the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) are playing unique roles in the next stages of health care management. Helfgott is a nonprofit institution that helps to outline the golden standards for CAM based research and is forefront in the examination of natural medicine.

This nationally respected organization employs a diverse research staff capable of tackling some of the most troublesome disease states today, such as cancer and diabetes. Essentially, Helfgott works to inform the scientific communities of the benefits of natural modalities by using contemporary state of the art technologies available today. NCNM works in conjunction with Helfgott by providing our community with doctors well versed in natural forms of healing. NCNM is dedicated to crystallizing a solid foundation of medicine by teaching a framework that emphasizes holistic treatment protocols; where each student learns how to effectively use keen observational tools in order to determine the patterning of disease. Students at NCNM learn strategies to counteract these patterns through the use of acupuncture, herbal formulas, and physical medicine. Together NCNM and Helfgott are effectively able to treat sickness by serving the public directly through clinics and with thorough research methodology.

Educating the public about more healthful choices will alleviate the stress on the existing health care system and provide the public with informative health choices.

Preventative care is key to maintaining a good state of health. A true sense of physical, emotional and mental balance within an individual’s daily routine is contingent upon proper education about nutritional supplementation and whole food diets, the benefits of moderate exercise, and a good night of sleep.

All of these concepts are essential maintaining health and can be easily taught within the community. This can be achieved with community outreach programs designed to teach basic health knowledge in an informative and exciting manner. For example, teaching children how to tend to agarden, where right there at the source, a discussion can occur about medicinal herbs, how to care for them, and ultimately how you as an individual can utilize the properties of a plant to harness good health. This is how uncomplicated health education can be!This is where Helfgott and NCNM can begin the process of benevolent education about a balanced state of health.

Natural forms of health care are easily affordable.

Helfgott and NCNM promote treatments that are usually comprised common herbs and physical practices that are reasonably priced and conveniently employed in the comfort of one’s own home.

A great deal of our medicine comes from the immediate environment; such as simple teas that can combat common ailments like digestive issues, respiratory distress, and treat the symptoms of the common cold.

Moreover, these forms of medicine act in accord with the immune system, creating a stronger defense system to prevent further impact of illness. Simple practices like stretching, moderate exercise, and Qi Gong engage the physical body and increase circulation and improve the health of individuals.
Once this valuable knowledge is available in multiple outlets, the cost of health care within the community can be dramatically reduced for everyone involved.

Naturally based medicinal techniques are environmentally friendly.

Our land and waters are assets to subsequent generations; therefore a community that uses its knowledge of sustainability enables a safer, cleaner future. Our water supplies are being contaminated with substances that mimic hormones, and in turn affect our bodies. Testing synthesized drugs and products on humans and animals in order to list potential side effects is an antiquated way of performing medicine.

Natural forms of healing have existed fothousands of years, the trial and error involved is already addressed for both the environment and the individual; without a doubt, the art form of keenly observing disease patterns in conjunction with the inherent constitution of the individual patient is the most effective form of medicine. As a society, we need to determine a way to utilize our own naturally existing resources and what better way to do this than to grow from sources already present in Portland

Luckily, Portland is just the city to undertake such an altruistic goal, as we have the potential for a sustainable health care right in our own backyards.

Helfgott provides a valuable base of philosophy for the research setting, acting to build a greater understanding of medicine for our global community. NCNM vigorously trains individuals in the art of sustainable medicine, using a natural-based toolset, in order to provide unique treatment plans tailored to each individual. Helfgott and NCNM use natural based modes of healing that are functional and sustainable for the community, which enables us to serve Portland’s public health care system with both reasonable and cost-effective resources. This combination is a synergistic duo that is more than capable of creating a health care system that is able to tend to the needs of the public. It’s time that Portland plants the seeds for a healthy community, and to serve as an example for the new wave of health care.

If this forum is not enough to convince you of our compassionate mission to provide health care, please feel to comment and a formal discussion can ensue about these pressing issues.

Thank you for your time,

C. Biscuit