The DOC Difference written by Apoor Patel, Class of 2002 As we approached the school we felt strangely out of context. We passed through the halls in our glaring white coats, nervously shuffling into our respective classrooms. The stares of the children greeted us. Some were shy, some indifferent, and some held only skepticism. In the brief class period we set about to establish their trust and educate them about the dangers of smoking.
Lung cancer is like a weed in a garden of roses . . .
Finally it was time for what was usually the most interesting part of the presentation, passing around actual lungs from cadavers. We had examples of both healthy lungs and those with cancer, pointing out the dramatic difference between the two to the children. Some squealed at the prospect of touching actual lungs, while other rushed to hold them. Either way we hoped we had made a lasting impression on the students. Our concerns of whether the children felt comfortable with the topic and with us, were alleviated with the candid questions they asked.