Ron Gutman is a healthcare entrepreneur on a mission to help everyone live happier, healthier, and safer lives. Whether providing access to COVID-19 testing with the On/Go One COVID Home Test or through his work with the charitable foundation On/go for\Good, Gutman has devoted his life to improving human welfare.
Following the October 7 attack, Gutman felt compelled to travel to Israel and provide humanitarian relief to those impacted and initiate a virtuous cycle of hope. Following extensive in-person conversations with the Israeli survivors, Gutman decided to create the On/go for\Good “Giving Hope” debit card to directly fund impacted families and those displaced.
These “Giving Hope” debit cards were distributed in Israel to the survivors’ families of Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the hardest-hit communities. Preloaded with 1,000 Israeli Shekels (approximately $250), the “Giving Hope” debit card serves as a first step towards granting these brave survivors the freedom to renew and rebuild with dignity. Gutman had hand-delivered nearly $1 million in resources to hospitals in Lviv, Ukraine during the Russia invasion through the organization On/Go For Good, which provides financial, healthcare, and technology resources in partnership with parent company Intrivo (a health diagnostics company).
Ron Gutman’s Background
Gutman is an entrepreneur, investor, inventor, advisor and Stanford University adjunct professor. And Gutman said:
“During my career, I’ve built and invested in health and technology companies that have served hundreds of millions of people worldwide and saved tens of thousands of lives. I’m also the Co-Founder and CEO of Intrivo, a global healthcare technology company committed to delivering highly effective, comprehensive, and delightful population health and care solutions; the inventor of On/Go, an award-winning digital health platform; and the CEO of On/Go for\Good, a charitable foundation.”
“On/Go for\Good’s humanitarian efforts have provided relief to health systems and civilians across the world during times of crisis, including Ukraine, Israel, and across the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. I visited Israel a week after the brutal attacks of October 7 and met with families of hostages and survivors from kibbutz Nir Oz, in addition to grassroots, civilian-led support organizations in need of funding. This is how On/Go for\Good operates – we move fast, we listen, we identify where and what aid is needed, and we respond with the right relief to the right people, helping create a cycle of hope that can triumph over fear.”
Becoming A Philanthropist
What events have led you to emphasize philanthropy at this stage of life? Gutman reflected:
“When I was growing up my mother always talked to me about Tikkun Olam, an ancient Jewish concept that means ‘repairing the world.’ The idea behind Tikkun Olam is that the world was given to us in an unperfect state and it is our responsibility, as its inhabitants, to repair it. I remember that from a very young age my mother emphasized that giving to others is one of the most important things you can do in life. So what inspired me to do good, is my mom; she was giving without being asked, giving without even wanting to be acknowledged for it.
So philanthropy, or giving, was instilled in me from childhood that the way to repair the world is by giving, by helping other people. I’ve always practiced it in my personal capacity, and in recent years I was fortunate enough to do it on a larger scale.”
Formation Of On/Go for\Good
How did you develop the idea for On/Go for\Good? Gutman shared:
“On/Go for\Good is the manifestation of my love to provide hope and happiness for all. Oftentimes, and unfortunately, weaker populations are getting trapped against their will in a vicious cycle of fear by agents of destruction. And sadly, fear is a self-fulfilling prophecy; fear feeds off fear. When people are afraid, they pass it to others, and thus, the vicious cycle of fear is created. The only way to break it is by stepping, giving, and helping, and by doing that, creating a new cycle – a virtuous cycle of hope. The only thing that can overcome fear is hope, and the way to instill hope in people is by doing good for them and then pulling them into doing good themselves for others, and there you have it – the virtuous cycle of hope in all its beauty.”
“This is why I created On/Go for Good, to empower populations in need who have had tragic events happen in their lives. Through my visits to both Ukraine and Israel, the main learning I uncovered was that as people, we all need to come together and help each other in order to overcome challenges and defeat the forces of evil that are trying to hold us back.”
Traveling Experiences
What are some of the reflections you had during your travels? Gutman replied:
“Through my visits to both Ukraine and Israel, the main learning I uncovered was that as people, we all need to come together and help each other in order to overcome challenges and defeat the forces of evil that are trying to hold us back. We all need hope and need to provide hope and support for those who are trapped in vicious cycles of fear. If you are fortunate enough to be able to help, you should jump at the opportunity. Seeing the destruction and fear in Ukraine and Israel on the one hand and the coming together and utter sacrifice and support on the other has been a huge inspiration for me. It also instilled a sense of urgency in me that we must do more to spread hope all over the world.”
“Providing hope and good wishes shows unity in a time when most of the world is fractured by fighting or hate. On/Go for/Good has launched the Giving Hope debit cards that are donatable and come preloaded with funds. They have been distributed to the surviving families on the frontlines of the war and anyone in need can apply for a card. This initiative and On/Go for\Good as a whole is aimed to provide both support and hope for everyone by coming together to directly support the victims of the Israeli-Hamas war.”
Future Goals
What are some of your future goals with On/Go for\Good? Gutman concluded:
In the future, we will continue to activate On/Go for\Good when humanitarian aid is needed no matter the circumstance. The organization works to serve people in need and we plan to continue doing what we can to support different populations. We work to serve as a beacon of hope and fight against fear, to let affected people know there are others who care and who want to help them take their ways of living back. Just this week, we are extending our work in Ukraine to support children with mental health issues – a continuing long-term commitment to help those who need it most. This is our future; wherever we can help in the world, we will provide lasting impact and an example for others.
