The Pilot Program for Denver had closed Thursday evening with more than 600 enthusiastic people in attendance. Dr. Wayne McFarland and Elder E. J. Folkenberg had returned to their homes, and all who had completed the course were faced with their first experience of really applying the principles they had learned—a long weekend for some —without benefit of evening group therapy.
While the new graduates were venturing out on their own, telephone calls to the chaplain's office were coming in at the rate of one every three minutes. About 350 registered for future plans to be presented at the Porter Hospital auditorium.
The following Monday evening more than 200 people returned to the Denver Junior Academy, some seeking additional help and others eager to participate further. A program to meet their needs was presented with the help of Denver doctors. The hospital dietitian presented a beautiful display of vegetarian foods and recipes. After a round of questions the group requested a regular once-a-month meeting the first Monday evening of each month.
Letters requesting information have come from five States. Telephone calls have come from San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Des Moines, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
Schools and church groups, both in and outside the Denver area, have requested assistance in establishing local programs. With the help of minister-doctor teams in the areas the requests are being filled.
Denver is talking of the Five-Day Plan from the hairdressers to the executive offices of a well-known industry. A local TV personality presented a panel program one Saturday evening with a group of physicians unknown to us. Their topic was cancer in its various forms. Their discussion of lung cancer and smoking was followed with a statement by one of the doctors in which he felt the only way to successfully stop the smoking habit was with the Five-Day Plan
The doctors on the Porter Hospital staff have expressed appreciation and interest in the program. Some send patients at regular intervals, and one doctor in particular has asked permission to refer his patients to the Five-Day Plan program.
By the time this article appears six additional plans will have been presented at Porter Hospital for about 500 people. We then anticipate we shall be able to meet the need by presenting one program each month. As each group completes the course, we have a Monday night follow-up meeting, then refer them to the monthly meeting.
We have always believed in the usefulness of the medical-ministry program as outlined by Ellen G. White, and how thrilled we are to participate in this solid, workable program.
