He felt that the enlarged lymph node might signify a serious illness and that, without insurance, I probably could not get adequate treatment in the U.S.A. He was a bit of an Anglophile, and knew that in England I could, if necessary, receive free medical treatment from the NHS. "Go home," he said.

Returning to England in late October 1975, I was referred by a Dr. Earlam to The London Hospital at Whitechapel. Within days, I met with a consulting surgeon, Dr. Hope-Stone, who recommended the removal and biopsy of the node. This was performed without delay, and within a week I was diagnosed with malignant lymphoma. Cancer. Then I was given into the care of Dr. Valentine, who looked after me during twenty-six days of whole-body radiation and the long and arduous follow-up of tests, medications, steroids and blood transfusions. On certain days when I complained that I couldn't take the debilitating regimen anymore, he proffered the sagacious advice that if I should quit the program, I would likely die within the year, at the age of twenty-five.

I was not charged for the surgery or biopsy of the lymph node. Nor was I charged for the radiation, three months of tests, transfusions, medications, or other therapies. Other than myself, nobody profited from my disease or its cure.

After I returned to the U.S. in March of 1976, my New York doctor, Bertram Newman, reviewed Dr Hope-Stone’s release letter that detailed the entirety of the treatment I had received at The London Hospital. He remarked that I’d had nearly one hundred thousand dollars worth of treatment, courtesy of the NHS. “That could never happen here,” he said.

I am just one voice, but I am not alone; in the ideal America, every opinion shall be heard. I support President Barack Obama in his courageous campaign to reform the American health care system.

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