In doing so, Doug Ruch, a 55-year-old accountant from San Antonio, Texas, has transformed his own terminal diagnosis into a unique mission of service. After receiving a diagnosis of stage four prostate cancer in early 2021, Ruch had to contend with the reality of his illness. Then, at the start of this year, the cancer metastasized, forcing him to spend his entire life savings on treatment. Rather than give in to hopelessness, he decided to start what he is now calling his “dying to serve tour.”
Inspired by his experiences and the desire to reflect on his life, Ruch set out to visit all 50 states. He aspires to advocate for the marginalized and needy. In the process he tells his story and points out all the things that are wrong with what he believes is a “broken” U.S. healthcare system. In the process he has ridden through nine states. His route will take him through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California and Oregon. His goal is to make it to Idaho and Washington state by April 15.
Ruch’s work is funded almost completely with philanthropic donations, enabling him to offer meals, delivery, and other supportive services to hard-to-reach at-risk populations. He’s regularly served lunch and dinner to a dozen unhoused individuals, the elderly, and 15 to 30 medically frail elderly seniors. Further, he’s organized and packaged items for area food banks and personally delivered meals to seniors and other homebound participants.
I said, OK, I have two options here. I can either stay home and die, or I can choose to go out and be alive. Ruch told us about his motivation to do this kind of tour. His legacy isn’t only one of service to others, but service as a means to achieving a legacy of compassion and service to others.
No matter how far Ruch has traveled across the country, he’s dedicated to still getting it done. “Help people and inspire more people to help people,” he urges others, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to philanthropy even in the face of his own mortality.
Together, Ruch’s story and the grassroots movement behind it remind us of the profound impact that human connection—and a supportive community—can have. While he acknowledges the challenges ahead, he remains focused on his purpose: “I can’t go back, but I can go forward and help as many people as possible before I go.”