Doug Ruch's final desire is to contribute by offering his services in every one of the 50 states through volunteering.
Dying to Help: One Man's Quest to Serve America
In March 2025, Doug Ruch learned a grim truth - his prostate cancer had spread, leaving him with about a year to live. But instead of succumbing to despair, Ruch saw an opportunity. He decided to channel his remaining time into helping others, embarking on a volunteer tour he aptly named "Dying to Serve."
"I've spent the last 30-plus years chasing the dollar," Ruch told us. "I didn't spend enough time with friends and loved ones that I should have. I was working 60 hours a week. I just realized I hadn't helped enough people."
So, Ruch made a decision. He'd help the hurricane victims in North Carolina, assist the fire victims in California, and if he could manage, he'd help the folks in every single one of the 50 states. Despite the daunting task, it wasn't long before the "Dying to Serve" tour was born.
Ruch has since visited 16 states, volunteering at food pantries, community organizations, and even Habitat for Humanity. But it's not about the cancer anymore, he says. It's about creating a legacy of volunteering and, in particular, micro-volunteering - small, impactful acts of service that can make a world of difference.
"Wonderful organizations I'm volunteering for would have their needs completely filled if more people would just volunteer three or four hours a month," Ruch explained. He's on a mission to spread the word and inspire others to contribute, however they can, for just a few hours a month. If enough people pitch in, Ruch believes it could make a drastic difference.
Living in a divided nation, Ruch believes that if more people took the time to give back, they'd find common ground. "Dying to Serve" is a symbol of purposeful giving and a call to action for micro-volunteering nationwide, pushing people to get involved in local causes and cultivate a spirit of service across all 50 states.
From habitat construction to serving food at HRDC’s pay-what-you-can restaurant, Fork & Spoon, Ruch's tour shows that even under challenging circumstances, community engagement is not only possible but can touch lives in profound ways[1][2][4]. With an ambitious goal and an unshakeable spirit, Ruch is proving that it's never too late to make a difference.
(Note: This is a rewritten version of the original text to maintain an informal and engaging style, while incorporating relevant details from the enrichment data where appropriate.)
- Despite knowing that he had a year left to live due to cancer, Doug Ruch decided to focus on a positive approach, channeling his time into volunteering.
- Ruch's "Dying to Serve" tour, which he embarked upon, aimed to aid victims of natural disasters across all 50 states.
- Ruch's efforts extend beyond major volunteering initiatives; he advocates for micro-volunteering - small yet impactful acts that collectively can greatly improve health-and-wellness and education-and-self-development outcomes.
- Beyond volunteers filling the needs of organizations, Ruch also believes micro-volunteering has a broader societal impact, potentially bridging political divides and fostering a spirit of personal growth and community engagement.
- Ruch's ongoing tour demonstrates the power of perseverance and altruism, even when facing medical-conditions, exemplifying that one can always contribute to science, health-and-wellness, and the betterment of transcripts in their community.
