At first glance, she may just be another Uber driver making a living off trips she makes in Tennessee. In reality, Kerry Wiles works full time as an actual scientist. The story behind her rides is quite endearing.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, Kerry took up a side job with Lyft and Uber to fulfill her love of interacting with people and getting to know their stories. She did not stop there though.
Kerry - a scientist at the Cooperative Human Tissue Network at Vanderbilt University Medical Center - uses her Uber money to make homemade lunch packages and deliver them to the homeless across the city.
And guess what? It gets even better. Kerry has found an ally too.
Chatting up her customers during her Uber rides, Kerry’s initiative caught the fancy of a young 24-year-old local, Ryan Caldwell, who decided to help her.
From peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to turkey rolls, the unlikely pair of friends deliver food to around a 100 homeless people during the weekend. In addition, they are also making a list of shoe sizes that the homeless they come across may need so that they can get boots for them before winter arrives.
“Small steps in a larger problem can make a beautiful impression on your heart and soul.”
- Kerry Wiles
You can check out her story here:
Author's note:
Since 2017, every year, I take up the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge and focus on showcasing lovely real-life heroes from around the world. The aim is to remind you that there is still plenty of good human beings all around you... to inspire you to smile once more.
Want more stories of compassion?
I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here. Earlier editions can be viewed from the links below:
2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)
2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)
2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)
2020 edition (Articles - 30, Heroes - 64)
Wow, really amazing work. We can learn a lot from her tenacity
ReplyDeleteA victim herself and helping others. It is the height of humanitarian work.
ReplyDeletelaudable indeed
Amazing work by Kerry Wiles, being a scientist and part time uber driver and surviving cancer too she is an example humanitarian. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an amazing thing to do. Humanitarian work needs only intent and initiative. All else falls in place.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great thing to do, feeding homeless people. This is so inspiring!!
ReplyDeletedespite being suffer from breast cancer, kerry has kept her spirit high and done an incredible job by serving homeless people. hats off to her for this inspiring initiative.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteComing from someone who herself is suffering from life threatening disease..this is height of humanity. These people's selfless initiatives should be talked about and Dr. Roshan your are doing commendable job.
ReplyDeletePeople who have seen the worst are always more compassionate, love this series, year on year and I admire you for that doc, pls see my comments on the last two posts were not visible, did they go to spam.
ReplyDeleteSo heartening to read her story. Helping others even when you may be suffering. Another postive story
ReplyDeleteDeepika Sharma
Another heart-warming story of another hero. The world is really full of people who don't even bother about their own well-being when it comes to spread happiness.
ReplyDeleteAmazing work by Kerry Wiles, spreading happiness besides being a cancer patient .
ReplyDeleteJyoti
What a noble deed inspire of her being at sufferings end. good to know about her deed and hope she has good health
ReplyDeleteshe is such an inspiration. she was a victum and she is helping others. wow!
ReplyDelete