"That's when I put all my friends and relatives on the hospital's speed dial, " he says.

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And have any of my friends and relatives who are now physicians ever received funds for food or travel?

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If I didn't share, and my friends and relatives and co-workers didn't share, I'd be less apt to know who just got engaged, who just celebrated a graduation or who in my online community just died suddenly.

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My family continues my mother's tradition at Christmas, when we open our home to relatives, neighbors, my six children and even their friends -- extending our family to include those unable to head home for the holidays.

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