Myoptic Vision: The more New Englanders know about need, the more they will give

By C.A. Soule
October 30, 2000

It was a perfect day for golf, or simply for being alive. The green fairway fanned out to the edge of the brilliant fall foliage, which branched up toward the pastel blue of a New England October sky. Jays scolded us for playing hooky that day, and the lightest of breezes rasped the fallen leaves, stirring up the scents of autumn.

Chris Johnson stepped up to the tee. He surveyed the expanse, waggled his club, set, swung — and hooked it left into a stand of trees.

Chris would hook or shank a few more drives that day, and would hit some beauties, too. He duffed his share of chips, and he sank his share of tough putts, like everybody else.

But that is where the comparisons end between Chris and most everybody else. Chris knows well the charity that golfers were contributing to that day — the Jimmy Fund. That is because Chris Johnson has had three operations for brain cancer, all before the age of 20.

The Windham, N.H. native had his last operation three years ago. Chris is now enrolled at St. Anselm's College in Manchester, N.H., studying criminal justice. He plans to attend law school after graduation, and may pursue a career in the FBI. He has a bright future.

But he and his family have a past that many of us cannot comprehend. Ben, Chris‰ younger brother, had that thousand-mile stare when speaking about his sibling's fight against cancer.

But Chris' mother was all smiles at the first tee that day. She has a lot to smile about, watching her son, the picture of health, swinging away.

We don't need reminders that a lot of area networking and telecommunications companies are making a difference in the world. Companies like Ennovate Networks in Boxborough. Tenor Networks, Pirus Networks and Gotham Networks, all of Acton. Astral Point Communications and Integral Access, both of Chelmsford. Giganet of Concord. Billerica's PinPoint. Kenetec in Naugatuck, Conn. And SnowShore Networks.

The difference we‰re talking about here, however, has nothing to with beams of light or data packets. It has more to do with standing up for something in the community, trying to change lives and save lives.

Those companies hosted more than 100 golfers last week at The International in Bolton, raising money for the Jimmy Fund through donations, sponsorships, and a memorabilia raffle.

Mass High Tech covers some pretty important topics in this important region of the world, including biotechnology, computers, telecommunications, manufacturing, Internet commerce, and public policy. But perhaps one of the most significant features we run is Adria Cimino‰s semi-weekly column on philanthropy in our technology community.

A month ago Adria's column ran the headline, "Is it Yankee self-reliance or laziness that keeps New England from giving?" The piece was based on an annual index that showed Massachusetts placing last in charitable donations based on an index that weighed average adjusted gross income and itemized charitable deductions.

I am guessing that the answer is neither. I bet it is more the case that too few people are getting the chance to hang out with people like Chris Johnson, great people who have benefited directly from those individuals and companies that have taken the resolve to help.

Chris and his family have great days ahead, although they will always have the uncertainty and scars produced by Chris' bouts with cancer. The donations from Ennovate and company may chip away a bit of that uncertainty. Researchers in Boston or elsewhere will find the silver bullet to beat cancer once and for all, I hope, and soon.

My best friend's brother-in-law, Mark, is quite the golfer himself, and a great guy. He has been married to his wife Lucy for a year, they just had a baby, and he is building a successful career as an investment banker in Cleveland.

His and his family's world was turned upside down two weeks ago, after Mark had emergency surgery to remove a tumor in his brain. The operation was a success, but the tumor was malignant.

Mark is now starting down the uncertain road traversed earlier by Chris Johnson. Mark is a strong man, he will get the best of care, and he and his family are in a position to beat this thing. I think he is going to be hitting some monster drives down the middle of the fairway next year, and the next. He will be the picture of health, on a perfect day for golf and for being alive.

It's time to drag Massachusetts out of the basement in charitable giving. You can start by pointing your browser to http://www.jimmyfund.org/, or by picking your own cause, and taking the resolve to help others. Be creative. And let Mass High Tech know about it, so that we can pass along the word for others to follow your example.