We often hear clichés about how one person can make a difference in this world. Some even scoff at the idea. We rarely if ever get the chance to actually meet someone who has made a difference. I was fortunate to meet such a person and she lives in the Lehigh Valley.

Her name is Dorene Shannon and she, along with other very dedicated volunteers, have turned a very minor request for help into an aid mission that has helped hundreds of people around our entire planet.

Background: Dorene is a nurse who has been at the Lehigh Valley Hospital for over 25 years. In 2000 a friend of her daughter was going to Kosovo on a mission trip. She asked Dorene to donate hospital booties for Kosovo patients. In our hospitals these booties normally are worn once and then discarded. However, they can be washed and reused.

Dorene collected 500 pair for the mission and thus started down a remarkable path. She now distributes medical supplies to over 20 third world countries – all done by a small dedicated group led by one person who saw an opportunity to do good and took action.

From this small start Dorene collected these kinds supplies and started to send them to countries that were in dire need. Other nurses heard about Dorene’s efforts and offered to help by collecting disposable but useable items. Some of these items were doctors’ gowns that were unused, no longer sterile, but clean. Instead of disposing them they can be re-sterilized in developing countries. Some of these gowns made their way to Africa for use in HIV wards and clinics.

More items slowly started to find their way to Dorene. A chiropractor donated an X-ray machine he no longer needed. She received 4x4 gauze dressings and gloves that were opened but not used, single use stethoscopes, first aid supplies, splints and crutches. No drugs are given to or distributed by Dorene.

All this happened by word of mouth. As the word spread more and more people collected items that could be sent to third world countries with desperate medical needs. There are also private donations – people donate wheel chairs, walkers, canes, lockers and shelving. In 9 years what started out in one room of her home has grown to the use of a two car garage to other storage facilities, to a permanent (for now) storage facility.

A friend once donated blue under pads for hospital beds. Dorene told her that those supplies were going to a local hospice. Because of that one donation, a variety of medical supplies including wheelchairs, electric beds, etc. (not usable to that organization) became available and were in turn donated to Dorene. This health care organization continues to this day to donate supplies to her cause. Dorene has also sent dental hygiene products – an often overlooked aspect of medical assistance - to these countries.

A partial list of the countries she helps include Sierra Leone, Guatemala, Zambia, Romania, Kurkestan, Uganda, and Kenya. The supplies are packaged locally, given to other nonprofit international organizations that then ship them to these countries. Often the supplies go along with physicians and nurses who donate their time and skill to these hard-pressed countries.

Her organization, Through These Hands, also comes to the aid of people in the United States. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the surrounding area, Through These Hands sent much-needed supplies to the city. Some supplies are also distributed to local nonprofit groups.

Naturally, one person cannot do all of this and Dorene is quick to point out that this effort is only possible because of the dedication of volunteers. Her husband, Bruce, now works full time on this project. There are people throughout the Valley and beyond who, having heard of Dorene’s work, are constantly on the lookout for supplies that can help this worldwide relief effort.

After meeting with Dorene and hearing her story I was struck by this example of the ”Power of One”. How one person, seeing a need and recognizing that she could help, did not just think or talk about it. She turned an idea into action. With little thought as to where this would lead, she followed action with more action. She dedicated herself to helping others. What started out as a simple gesture of collecting booties has blossomed into a worldwide relief effort that has saved lives and brought relief to countless numbers of people.

All of us think about doing something to help ourselves or to help others. More often than not nothing comes of it because we do not know where to start, or think the task is too overwhelming. Take Dorene’s lead and take small steps to start. The most important point is to take action. And keep taking action. One never knows where it will lead, but if Dorene Shannon is an example, all of us can do extraordinary things.

Those wishing to help or to learn more can contact Dorene at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact me directly (610-774-0919 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

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