What to Do When You’re Told There’s Nothing Left to Try | David Fajgenbaum, Kiah Williams | TED

David Fajgenbaum and Kiah Williams shared their powerful personal journeys and insights on actively choosing a path forward, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. David Fajgenbaum recounted his near-death experience with Castleman disease during his third year of medical school. After being critically ill and given last rites, he was saved by seven chemotherapies, none of which were initially developed for his condition. This experience opened his eyes to the possibility of finding life-saving treatments that already exist but are not yet recognized for specific diseases. When he relapsed and was told there were no more options, he insisted on exploring other existing drugs. He eventually discovered sirolimus, a drug that saved his life. This led him to question how many other life-saving drugs are available but overlooked, sparking his mission to find new uses for existing medications. Kiah Williams shared a childhood marked by family struggles and near poverty in West Philadelphia. At a young age, she realized she had to be the architect of her own future. This realization fueled her academic drive, leading her to a full scholarship at Stanford. Later, working as a health coach in medical clinics, she witnessed firsthand how patients couldn't afford their medications, hindering their health outcomes. This experience ignited her desire to address the root causes of medication access issues. Both speakers emphasized that motivation often follows action, not the other way around. They encouraged starting with even a small percentage of an answer and taking the first step. Kiah cited her grandfather, who navigated without street signs by looking at the stars, as an analogy for finding one's way through challenges. David echoed this, stating that once you witness the impact of finding solutions, like life-saving drugs, you are compelled to keep pushing for greater impact, from local communities to a global scale. Addressing the challenge of facing unfair or difficult systems, Kiah highlighted the power of individual action. She shared how Sirum, an organization that redistributes unused medicine, started as a student project and grew significantly. She recounted an instance where a concerned citizen in Georgia contacted them, leading to a meeting with a state legislator and ultimately the launch of a home-delivery pharmacy. Kiah stressed that even a single email or phone call can spark significant change, urging people to choose action over apathy. David Fajgenbaum advised those feeling stuck or unsure how to pursue their dreams to reflect on their deepest hopes and wishes. He believes these aspirations reveal what needs to be done to solve problems. He introduced the concept of "actionable hope," where hope fuels action, which in turn leads to impact, creating a positive feedback loop. David explained the work of Every Cure, an organization focused on repurposing existing drugs for new diseases. He noted that 20-30% of prescriptions are "off-label," meaning drugs are used for conditions they weren't originally approved for. Every Cure uses AI to identify potential new uses for old drugs. They encourage people to share their experiences with off-label drug use, support their financially, and spread awareness. Kiah described her pragmatic approach, acknowledging that she's not naturally optimistic but has faith in humanity's ultimate ability to overcome challenges. She views her current position, where she can choose to tackle difficult issues, as a privilege. She advocates for focusing on what truly matters and engaging in "short-term pain for long-term gain," but also cautions against deferring life indefinitely, emphasizing the importance of making decisions for present well-being and impact. David Fajgenbaum shared three key elements for navigating tough times: having a vision for what you're fighting for, building an amazing team, and taking things one step at a time. He drew from his own experience in the ICU, where focusing on small victories, like a single breath, was crucial for survival. He also spoke about the profound energy derived from seeing patients recover and live extended lives, while acknowledging the pain of those they cannot help, which fuels further action. Kiah's final message was about focusing on what truly matters. With a new child, she emphasizes identifying what genuinely bothers, angers, or excites you, and dedicating your life and work to those areas. She recognizes that one cannot do everything and encourages deep focus on a few impactful areas. David concluded by framing his near-death experience as the start of his "overtime." He described overtime in sports as scary but clarifying, forcing focus on what's most important. He believes everyone is in overtime, and the key is to make the most of every second by cutting out noise and concentrating on what truly matters.