What Does Philanthropy Mean?
It comes from two Greek words: love and humanity! I am reminded of growing up and attending Catholic school and church. Time, talent, and treasure were three keywords, but really, it came down to giving. It doesn’t have to be Money. It is the concept of giving to a cause or community and looking out for the well-being of others.
Philanthropy goes beyond charity. While they are similar, philanthropy looks into the root cause of issues. It’s more about creating long-term solutions.
Why Does Philanthropy Matter?
It’s about creating change. Many philanthropic endeavors fill in the gaps that government agencies don’t.
I love the examples that Dr. Sweet gave in our discussion.
Covering medication and transportation.
Initially, we will cover housing and provide community.
Annually, the Sweet Affair is the largest fundraiser for The Sweet Emergency Fund.
This support and philanthropy has been going on for 30 years.
All goes straight to the community.
It empowers and grows the community.
It increases and strengthens networking.
It can provide or grow purpose.
I was asked to volunteer. Yes, volunteer to donate an episode regarding philanthropy or charity. To me, philanthropy goes beyond charity. I love community, and as a native of Wichita now living on the outskirts, both communities are essential.
During medical school, residency, and as an attending, The Sweet Affair has always been one of my favorite fundraising events. I have not attended as much or as often as I would have liked, but it is truly magical. Imagine walking into a backyard wonderland that welcomes all comers without judgment and raises funds for a great purpose. I have to also say this is what drew me to medicine in general.
During this one week in March, several podcasters around the globe donate one episode to a charity or philanthropic entity of their choice. Of course, I chose the Sweet Emergency Fund!
The Legend, Dr Sweet!
In a healthcare landscape increasingly dominated by metrics and electronic documentation, Dr. Sweet’s 43-year career is a powerful reminder of medicine’s true purpose. The latest episode features this extraordinary physician who has dedicated her professional life to HIV/AIDS care since the earliest days of the epidemic in 1983.
A simple yet profound motivation drove Dr. Sweet’s journey into medicine: “I went into medicine to help people, not to make money.” This philosophy has guided her through more than four decades at the same institution, where she’s witnessed the transformation of HIV from a deadly six-month prognosis to a manageable chronic condition. Her practice combines scientific expertise with genuine human connection, making her a beloved mentor to countless medical students and residents, including myself!
The conversation provides a fascinating glimpse into the early AIDS crisis, when stigma and fear dominated public perception. Dr. Sweet recalls her first HIV patient in 1983 who faced terrible discrimination due to visible Kaposi’s sarcoma lesions. “He was truly a leper,” she explains, describing how this experience pulled her into advocacy work to help people understand “it was a condition, not a sin.” This activism became a cornerstone of her career, pushing against prejudice while fighting to ensure patients received proper care regardless of their ability to pay.
Perhaps most inspiring is how Dr. Sweet translated her values into tangible support by establishing the Sweet Emergency Fund about 30 years ago. What began as a backyard fundraiser to maintain a house for abandoned AIDS patients has evolved into a robust 501(c)(3) that provides critical support for medication, transportation, housing, and other essential needs that insurance doesn’t cover. The annual “Sweet Affair” continues today, transforming her backyard into what the host describes as “a magical place full of love” where diverse community members unite to support a shared mission.
The impact of this work cannot be overstated. As Dr. Sweet notes, properly treated young HIV patients today “will live just as long as an age-matched control,” with life expectancies reaching into the 80s. This remarkable progress means her practice has evolved to address Aging conditions rather than focusing solely on infectious complications. Her commitment to ensuring every patient receives antiretroviral Therapy regardless of financial means has saved countless lives while significantly reducing healthcare costs by preventing hospitalizations.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Sweet continually emphasizes the importance of seeing patients as whole human beings, addressing their medical needs and the social determinants of health that profoundly affect outcomes. “Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” she asserts, acknowledging that advocacy remains as crucial now as ever to maintain funding for programs like the Ryan White Care Act that make treatment accessible to vulnerable populations.
Originally Published on https://www.theworthyphysician.com/blog
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