“But how much progress has been made?” Nick asked. Shelly loved his confidence in the wake of Wall’s tirade. Dr. Wall didn’t like him as a person and that was fine. Nick, she was learning, could be a determined man. He would not lay down the idea without a fight.
“We’ve made progress,” he retorted. “It just takes time.”
“I don’t think you’re following us here, Dr. Wall,” Jerry piped in. “I know what you’re saying, and it is a long shot, but I have seen you and Shell—excuse me, Dr. White—and others here pull off miracles every year. There is a reason St. Theresa’s saves lives—and you are right—it takes time. All we’re saying is we want to do something to help. And this idea is unique. It can’t help but shed huge light on the hospital and all you do here. And we are talking about global attention.” Jerry stood. “We just think there is another way to win this battle. You’re waging your war. Let us fight it a different way. If nothing else, the Foundation could really benefit from the publicity. There is no downside for the people who pledge the money. They look like heroes. Word gets out that there is a shitload of cash for anyone who gives us a cure. No downside for anybody …”
“But there is a downside,” Dr. Wall interrupted. “And that would be our fellow doctors and oncologists who just might think we have lost our minds. There are so many variables. There is no magic bullet or potion for all cancers. At least that we know of.”
“Yes,” Nick said, “but what if something happens? What if, somewhere, somehow, there’s a guy or a gal who’s in a lab and sees what we are asking, and they decide to work on an idea, a formula. And maybe they take it to their boss and say, ‘I have an idea.’ What then? At that very moment, it could start a chain of events that changes everything. It’s the ‘What if’ that drives this deal. It’s the ‘I never tried this before.’ It’s that moment that makes the difference between just being a crazy idea or a brilliant one. I know you think we’re nuts, but if this becomes part of a global effort that brings us even one step closer to stopping just one type of cancer in its tracks, then you, Dr. Wall, have a second miracle in your life.”
“Second?”
“I thought Shelly White was your first one,” Nick said. Shelly
looked over and smiled.