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‘Life & Death’ and Karma, Running Stride for Stride in Boston

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 02/9/2024

I usually keep my birthday private, but this year I’m celebrating it (February 10) by inspiring donations to a Boston non-profit that is extremely important to me, Boston and beyond, and the lives of many people in our community, Stride for Stride.

You find out people’s true colors by their consistent actions over time, not just by what they say, but by what they do. I’ve known Tom O’keefe, aka @BostonTweet for close to 20 years. During that time, I’ve come to know Tom as a very humble, authentic person, generous of heart and spirit.

‘Life and Death,’ hero, and badass are often overused exaggerations. As restaurateur/author and James Beard Award winner, Gabrielle Hamilton noted in her memoir, “badass is a juvenile aspiration.” Especially as a self-imposed moniker. None of those terms are embellishment when describing the evolution of the relationship between Tom O’Keefe and Jorge Rosales. Tom provided Jorge an opportunity with Stride for Stride. And Jorge saved Tom’s life. That’s badass. And how that came to be is an amazing, awe-inspiring story.

Tom O’Keefe founded Stride for Stride after being gifted the entrance fee to participate in the vaunted Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod, MA. I’ve run Falmouth, and I know the joy and excitement.

Tom O’Keefe:

“The Falmouth Road Race was the first race I ever ran, and it changed my life. Not only did it help me become healthier, but it also reminded me that I can accomplish anything – to not quit when things get tough.

After Falmouth I was hooked on running. ​The roar of the crowd, the competition of passing runners, and the thrill of crossing the finish line made me feel like a superstar – an empowering feeling that everyone should experience. 

​I was lucky enough to be gifted an entry into that first race. Without that opportunity I might not have ever started running. Upon registering for my second race, I quickly discovered that races are expensive – really expensive – an expense that many can’t afford. And that is the core mission of Stride for Stride. 

​Stride’s goal is to give everyone an equal opportunity to run. If you want to run, but can’t afford to race, then we’ll purchase the bib for you. There’s no reason why money should prevent you from getting to the starting line, especially when crossing the finish line could change your life. 

​Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that I firmly believe can change lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up.” -Tom via Stride for Stride

After attending a Stride for Stride event at The Trackhouse – Tracksmith at 285 Newbury Street in Boston on 12/10/2022, I posted on Facebook:

Very moving, inspirational morning at The Trackhouse today listening to the stories of #love #laughter #friendship & #teamwork from the Stride for Stride family. The #community they have built and are strengthening is awesome. #Boston #Running #Gratitude #WalkingBoston

I knew I experienced and felt something very special in the making that day, but none of us could have predicted the extent of the love and life-giving, dynamic forces of humanity blossoming in that room.

Tom shared some information with Runner’s World in an article published on May 13,2023:

Tom was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 2020. For the last three years, O’Keefe has suffered from a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should, which can lead to other health problems such as heart disease and stroke.

In May 2022, O’Keefe was informed he needed a transplant as his condition was rapidly declining. Right away, his cousin Colleen volunteered to donate her kidney since they have the same blood type. After undergoing months of extensive testing, including MRI, CT scans, X-rays, and blood tests, Colleen was rejected as a donor in March. The news was devastating to O’Keefe, but the feeling didn’t last long.

The next day, [Jorge] Rosales called O’Keefe and informed him that he and another runner on the Stride for Stride team signed up to undergo testing as his kidney donors.

“It was this amazing rollercoaster of being very sad and low to be being elated,” O’Keefe said. “I think a lot of normal people would be nervous and apprehensive, but [Jorge] is excited and it shows what an incredible, kind person he is.”

In March, Rosales began the testing process, which involved six months of appointments with physicians, social workers, and psychologists that ranged from 30 minutes to four hours at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. In October, when he received the much-anticipated phone call from the medical team informing him he was a match, Rosales couldn’t wait to tell O’Keefe.

“I felt tears coming out,” Rosales said. “It was one of the best news that I can remember in my life.”

O’Keefe admitted he was nervous to accept the call from Rosales, worried that he’d also be rejected as a donor. If Rosales wasn’t a match, O’Keefe would need to seek out another kidney donor, which can take up to eight months, or go on dialysis. When Rosales told him the good news, O’Keefe felt immediate relief.

“Kidney disease relies on the kindness of somebody else. The kindness from Jorge to save someone’s life makes it extremely emotional,” O’Keefe said. “Words are tough to describe the gratitude and love we have for Jorge and all donors that make this sacrifice.”

On February 2, 2024, a bit more than 3 weeks after the successful kidney transplant, Tom O’Keefe self-published a book about his journey over the last few years.

‘Kindness – How a Simple Act of Kindness Can Save Your Life’

About the Book : On January 10, 2024, Tom O’Keefe received a life saving kidney donation from his Stride for Stride teammate, Jorge Rosales. This book is the story of how being kind and empathetic to others gave Tom the greatest gift of his life.

#WalkingBoston is a project I launched in the spring of 2022 to walk a marathon in every Boston neighborhood, a half marathon at a time. One of primary missions of Walking Boston is to raise money for Stride for Stride. After witnessing the breadth and depth of the love and the positive, life-changing impact of Stride for Stride, I am doubling down on my fundraising commitment and just increased the #WalkingBoston GoFundMe goal to $10k. This is a grassroots effort to inspire people to ‘step up’ and help Tom and his team change people’s lives, one small donation at a time. To date, my #WalkingBoston journey has covered 177.47 miles. With bonus walks around Boston, my goal is to cover 1,000 miles total. You can follow the progress by subscribing to this blog. All are welcome to join the walks that will take a few more years to complete. Yes, a ‘marathon’, not a sprint. And I’m loving the adventure of exploring and showcasing Boston’s neighborhoods.

I communicated with Tom this week. Both he and Jorge are recovering so well that they are looking forward to running the Boston Athletic Association 5k together on April 13, 2024, just 3 months post-transplant. Incredible.

I watched a beautiful, emotional video of Jorge and Tom hugging in the hospital 4 days after the surgery. Jorge’s caption, “With my friend, Thomas O’Keefe a great human being who is now my brother. You deserve this and more Tom, you are the best.”

Also from Jorge via Runner’s World: “I hope more people will realize in the future that we can help each other,” Rosales said. “There’s no doubt that we can do good for other people without expecting anything back.”

This pic was posted on the Stride for Stride Facebook Page on October 8, 2023 with the caption below it from Tom.

“Please meet my superhero, Jorge. I met Jorge at the 2019 Cambridge Half Marathon when he ran his first race with Team Stride for Stride. At the time I didn’t know that I would soon be diagnosed with CKD and I also didn’t know that I would soon need a kidney transplant. And, little did I know that this great and kind man that I just met would save my life. For the past seven months Jorge has been going through extensive testing to see if he’s a match. Yesterday we received the call that he’s 100% compatible. Jorge is my superhero. Kidney donors are real life superheroes – they save lives.

In November, Jorge and I will run the BAA Half Marathon with Team Stride for Stride, and then in December we’ll have the transplant surgery. [postponed to 1/10/24] Once I recover, we’ll run the NYC Marathon and Boston Marathon; donor and recipient together. We want to show that kidney donors can and will continue to have a long and active life. And, I want to give hope to other CKD patients and kidney recipients that you too can run the world’s greatest marathons.

Please consider becoming a superhero to someone who needs a kidney. There are thousands of people who are waiting for a lifesaving kidney in every major US city. In Boston, start by Googling “BIDMC transplant” or “MGH transplant” to donate to someone on the list – you can be an altruistic donor to someone you don’t know. If you have any questions just message me. [Tom’s email: tom@bostontweet.com]

I would also like to thank my cousin, Colleen for all the months she spent testing to be a donor, my Stride teammates, Jess & Karen who started the process with BIDMC, and an anonymous donor who did the same.

A huge thanks to Bridget (Tom’s wife) for all the love and support you’ve given me during these times – I’m sorry for all the stress. I love you. And, thank you to my wonderful friends and teammates on Stride for Stride – you saved me. Te amo mucho.  – Tom

Final message from Tom: “Anyone with two healthy kidneys has the power to save a life through an act of kindness – it’s our superpower. Please consider becoming a kidney donor to someone you know or someone on dialysis.”

This is the ultimate ‘Human to Human Service.’ Thank you, Jorge and Tom, your families, and Stride for Stride team for your incredible inspiration. You are literally changing the world, and I am in awe of your selflessness and positive impact.

Please consider even a small, a tax-deductible donation to Stride for Stride via my #WalkingBoston Fundraiser Link. And please consider sharing the link if inspired to do so.

I hope to see many of you on the roads, trails, and paths of Boston.

Extremely Grateful-Patrick

“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow, and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.” -SENECA

 

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‘Greed is Good,’ right, John Mackey, Whole Foods CEO & Jeff Bezos, Amazon Chairman? 9+ year veteran, 72-year-old employee denied severance after Whole Foods in Brookline, MA abruptly closes. #DoTheRightThing #PayTheSeverance

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 06/25/2022

Early on Friday morning, April 29, I walked over to ‘The (St. Mary’s) Village’ to visit Whole Foods, an almost daily ritual. Immediately upon entry, a worker came over and whispered, “Hey, they just told us the store is closing.” A regional VP had gathered the staff and informed them moments before that May 6th was the last day. The landlord was informed the same day. The staff was told that even long-time, veteran employees would have to reapply for jobs at other WF stores, and more details were forthcoming from HR. Naturally, I tweeted:

The next day, everything in the store was sold at 50% off. Despite the rabid frenzy (shitshow), there was no ‘hazard pay’ for the staff. And after the store was picked clean over the weekend, they shut down for good on Monday, May 2nd, 4 days ahead of schedule…

After first hearing the news, I walked the aisles of the store on Friday–the abrupt closure was raw, still being absorbed the staff. The emotion in their eyes, and tears on the familiar faces of several people I had come to know, precipitated a very anxious and somber mood.

Whole Foods issued a statement quoted in an article in the Boston Globe on April 29 by Annie Probert:

“As we continue to position Whole Foods Market for long-term success, we regularly evaluate the performance and growth potential of each of our stores, and we have made the difficult decision to close six stores,” a statement from the company read. “We are supporting impacted team members through this transition and expect that all interested, eligible team members will find positions at our other locations.”

One of the staff members I often chatted with was Ken Scales. Ken often saw me with an elderly (sometimes feisty/demanding) neighbor he took a liking to. “How’s our girl?” he’d ask when he didn’t see her as the plague raged. Despite his cordial engagement, Ken was a quiet, shy guy, head down, and conscientious, steady worker.

According to Sean P. Murphy for the Boston Globe on June 22, Ken (part-time employee) said “he didn’t realize he would forfeit a payout by agreeing to work through June at another location.” And he did, at the Whole Foods Symphony/’Fenway’ location.

From the Globe piece:

At age 72, Scales said he still needed to work to pay the bills, so he moved to a similar position at another Whole Foods store a few miles away.

But then some friends suggested he had made a mistake. They told him he should have left his position at Whole Foods and taken the $11,000 in severance pay that he was owed after almost 10 years on the job, Scales said.

Stocking shelves pays about $20 an hour. At that rate of pay, the severance package he had been offered was the equivalent of about six months of pay. For the first time in his adult life, Scales could have enjoyed an extended period of time off without losing income.

Plus, because of the high demand for low-wage workers in today’s economy, Scales could have easily found another job for similar pay whenever he wanted, his friends said.

Persuaded he had made a mistake, Scales asked Whole Foods to let him leave his job and take the severance. At that point, Whole Foods had not yet formally eliminated Scales’ Brookline position.

But Whole Foods, owned by Amazon, one of the world’s richest corporations, said no. By accepting a part-time job at another store, Scales had forfeited his right to leave the company with severance pay. The store treated his choice as irrevocable, he said.

Scales said he has been a good, reliable worker. His manager at the Brookline store thought highly enough of him to recommend him to the Whole Foods Market Symphony store in the Fenway, where he wound up.

“I was counting on that severance payment to help me regroup, pay down some bills, and to decide what I want to do next,” he wrote in an appeal for reconsideration to Whole Foods. 

The appeal was denied. I called Whole Foods Symphony/’Fenway’ this morning and spoke to a manager (Matt) informing him that I was writing this blog post, and asked if WF had an updated statement. He referred me to corporate…

[I encourage you to read the entire Globe piece for more detail.]

Globe reporter, Sean P. Murphy adds:

Scales has worked all his life, mostly in unglamorous positions at retail stores. He gets a modest monthly Social Security check and lives in a tiny apartment in Chinatown. He’s not asking for much.

It would be nice if Whole Foods could see its way to giving this guy a break. It’s not too late.

Amen.

I was chatting with a worker a few doors down from the now-closed Whole Foods about the awful PR, negative word-of-mouth/’bad will’ being generated from this story. In addition to the adverse impact on ‘team’ morale of existing employees, he added, “And what about the impact of this story on all of the people thinking about working for Whole Foods or Amazon?!?” Yup, not optimal recruiting material, or consistent with WF stated ‘Long-Term Thinking’ …

From the Whole Foods website:

In addition, Whole Foods has years left on their Brookline, MA lease and is seeking a tenant to sub-lease the space. Their abrupt closure left a significant void in ‘The Village,’ that was already dealing with multiple vacancies on the block. The closure, without a transition plan and replacement grocer, did not sit well with neighboring businesses and residents. This story about a veteran employee has punctuated that rancor.

When I first saw the online story from the Globe on twitter via @markpothier, I responded:

Since then, I’ve reviewed the Whole Foods website and incorporated some of their “Core Values,” “Leadership Principles,” and “Declaration of Interdependence” into a Twitter appeal for Whole Foods to pay the severance for Ken Scales:

That was in response to this tweet from @blueeyedgirl:

“Us versus them.”

Final Thoughts (WF Website):

Our Declaration of Interdependence reflects the hopes and intentions of many people. We do not believe it always accurately portrays the way things currently are at Whole Foods Market so much as the way we would like things to be. It is our dissatisfaction with the current reality, when compared with what is possible, that spurs us toward excellence and toward creating a better person, company and world. When Whole Foods Market fails to measure up to its stated vision, as it inevitably will at times, we should not despair. Rather let us take up the challenge together to bring our reality closer to our vision. The future we will experience tomorrow is created one step at a time today.

John Mackey, Whole Foods and Jeff Bezos, Amazon, take up the challenge, #PayTheSeverance.

If you agree, please help spread the word to your network. Thank you.

PS-Join the battle/challenge on twitter @PatrickMBoston.

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