Page 13 - HNW Spring Magazine 2024

Fortunate Do you think anyone would have had the
patience to do that besides Bill?
to Be Alive Time for a New Lung At Your Service: Bill Rowley

BY OMAR AL ASKARI Eventually we came to the conclusion that I “My relationship with Omar Al Askari started in
Chairman & CEO at United Technical Services (UTS) would have a single lung transplant and
YPO International Chairman, 1999–2000 I would do it right here at Cleveland Clinic the late 90s when I met him in YPO. In 1999
Abu Dhabi. I was scared. The fatality rate when Omar was the International Chairman,
he presented me with the Hickock Award at
ccess to Healthnetwork is easily
A among the top 10 benefits of YPO. is high. They tell you the first milestone is a ceremony in Hawaii. We have remained close
making it alive to three months post-surgery.
ever since. Omar’s support for Healthnetwork
Well, I celebrated three months yesterday.
When you’re under 50, maybe it’s
low in the top 10 list. As you get Let’s hope I’ll make it to 6 and 12 months. and me continued through some politically
charged years, and he always had my back
older, it rises to the top. Number one. Because In March 2024, less than three months after his lung I have a physio trainer, a yoga instructor, with his deep international connections.
let’s face it: between 50 and 70, physically you transplant, Omar Al Askari co-hosted a dinner with and a pilates teacher. I’m still chairman of Helping Omar with his health was an
Healthnetwork Foundation to express gratitude and make
go through so many difficulties and changes. a donation to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and his lung my business and I go in for an hour or so honor and a privilege. The dinner for Cleveland
You need Healthnetwork as you age. The surgeon. Pictured left to right: Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak a few days a week to keep my brain active. Clinic Abu Dhabi was exceptional. We donated
I’m building back my strength. Today I went
value of Healthnetwork goes up as your age Al Nahyan, a friend of Omar’s and the minister of tolerance fishing. I plan to do some golfing on the and thanked each doctor. Sheikh Nahayan
goes up. Believe me, I’m now 73 and in these for the United Arab Emirates; Bill Rowley, Healthnetwork weekend. I am looking forward to resuming attended and made comments. The Al Askari
past couple years I’ve needed Healthnetwork Chairman and Founder; Omar Al Askari. normal life again. family and Healthnetwork combined to deliver
a substantial gift.
more than I’ve needed anything. I feel very fortunate to have a new lung, This is how it is supposed to work.
Here’s my story… All Options on the Table to be alive. I owe Healthnetwork for that. Katie and I are planning a trip with our
I was elected YPO International Chairman The vast majority of us—even those of us healthy Omar this summer.”
in 1999–2000, and in that role I had the Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with who have a lot of connections—we just
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. I didn’t believe
opportunity to present YPO’s highest honor— it and I called Healthnetwork immediately. don’t know who the best specialists in the
the Ray Hickok Award—to a distinguished They connected me with a specialist at Cleveland world are. Or if you do, you don’t necessarily BILL ROWLEY
member doing exceptional work. I awarded Clinic, who confirmed the diagnosis. At that have access to the best. The connections Chairman and Founder
it to Bill Rowley because of all the work he time it was mild, and given my age (66 at the Healthnetwork provides are unmatched. ✦
had done to create the Inventory of Skills— time), they didn’t expect it to spread quickly.
which later became Healthnetwork Foundation. It took about five years before I really started
As businessmen, we are often focused on to feel the pain. Then I had to go on oxygen,
building our businesses and making money. and for two years I was lugging around an Your Benefits as a GOLD Supporter
But in this case Bill wasn’t trying to make oxygen tank almost 24/7. I couldn’t exercise,
more money; he was doing something purely couldn’t work much, couldn’t even travel.
for the good of others. If anyone deserved During those seven years after my diagnosis Fast access to High priority medical requests
that award, it was Bill Rowley. I still feel that I looked at all possible treatment options. top specialists through the GOLD Access app
way today, 24 years later. A transplant at my age is risky. Even 10 years
Let’s be honest: we are privileged people. ago most places wouldn’t give a transplant Extended access beyond Customized advisory
immediate family
reports for overseas travel
And using that privilege only for selfish to someone over 65. We looked literally around
the whole world. The waiting lists are long
reasons is extremely unrewarding. When and extensive. Not only that, my situation was Exclusive invites to Your personal medical coordinator
you help others, that’s where the rewards complicated by the fact that I had a quadruple physician webinars for the duration of your request
are realized. Helping others makes you bypass years ago so they couldn’t touch my
feel good. Bill is not only generous with his left side. At the same time we were looking
time, he’s also generous with Healthnetwork for other options—Is there a cure? Is there You can check on or renew your GOLD status through the GOLD Access portal or
by contacting Kayleigh Williams at +1-440-893-0830 or kwilliams@healthnetworkfoundation.org.
Foundation’s money and generous with the a way to stop it from progressing? Bill helped
doctors. He’s a unique guy, and Healthnetwork me navigate all that. He helped me evaluate Tax ID # 04-3804600 | All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by U.S. tax law.
is a unique organization. different centers. We consulted every possibility.

12 Healthnetwork Foundation | www.healthnetworkfoundation.org One Call Starts It All +1 (866) 968-2467 +1 (440) 893-0830 13