Millions await Obama's action on health insurance

Others received incredible support from readers - notes of encouragement, small cash contributions, and, in a few cases, even worldwide attention.

"I've had some wonderful people write me and wished me well plus a few gifts also," said Dan Daskus, 41, of Minersville, Pa., who got cancer, lost his job and health insurance, and went into debt from medical bills. "I also did an interview with Danish television."

And even the unexpected happened.

Richard Hershman, divorced four times, a former drug addict now receiving methadone, had suffered without health insurance. But he also had lost touch with nearly everyone in his life. His only friend was his dog, Blue.

After the Inquirer story, a group of friends he had known as a boy in West Philadelphia contacted him, and now he goes to their houses for Sunday dinners and watches the Eagles with them. He went over to one rediscovered old friend's house for a Christmas meal.

"Now I have REAL FRIENDS again," he e-mailed. Maybe that's the best medicine of all.

- Michael Vitez

For Michael Vitez's blog and previous stories in this series, go to http://go.philly.

com/uninsured