Dying US man uses his last months for community service in all 50 states -- The Guardian

[erronis]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/09/dying-man-community-service-texas

Doug Ruch embarked on ‘dying to serve tour’ after learning he had fewer than 18 months left amid cancer battle

Doug Ruch, a terminally ill man using his remaining time trying perform community service in all 50 US states, volunteers in Lake Oswego, Oregon, on Monday. Photograph: Courtesy of Doug Ruch

A Texas man who recently learned he likely had fewer than 18 months to live amid his battle with cancer is using the time he has left trying to voluntarily perform community service – including feeding people who are unhoused – in each of the US’s 50 states.

Doug Ruch, 55, of San Antonio, said he embarked on what he named the “dying to serve tour” after his terminal diagnosis made him reflect on things he could have “done differently or better”.

“I can’t go back, but I can go forward and help as many people as possible before I go,” said Ruch, whose story has gained attention in areas of the internet which are dedicated to uplifting news.

As it says on his tour’s website and has been reported elsewhere in the news media, doctors diagnosed Ruch with prostate cancer in early 2021. The former solar industry professional spent his life savings paying to undergo treatment for the illness, something he said he could not avoid because of the US’s “broken” healthcare system.

. . .

I am in so much awe of this wonderful man.

[calimary]

1. God Bless you, Doug Ruch!

What a noble way to say goodbye! You’ll be remembered for how you helped people. Hard to top a legacy like that.