Dr Albert Pacifico and his surgical team help treat infants with heart defects, Gary Steiner and Kenny Polk are wheelchair racers who inspire others to work together, and politician Claude Pepper continually stands up for senior citizens rights.

Virginia Allen teaches about AIDS and provides a hospice for patients, Nancy Leibold offers legal help for the deaf, and Tex Lacey helps the Los Angeles police deal with youth gangs and improve the lives of local residents.

Boxing trainer Cus D'Amato helped Mike Tyson make boxing history, Pepper Edmiston created Camp Good Times for children with cancer, and Susie Yale helps children of divorce deal with their emotions and the changes in their lives.

Charlie Sampson is a member of American contemporary cowboys, former Air Force pilot Dr Charlie Clements tends to those injured during El Salvador's civil war, and actress Sally Struthers campaigns for impoverished children in developing countries.

Wrestler Jeff Blatnick overcame his battle with cancer to win gold at the Olympics, teacher Marva Collins inspires her students to greater heights, and members of the LAPD crash unit wage war on street gangs to keep neighbourhoods safe.

Astronaut Alan Shepard visits space camp to inspire America's youth to follow in his footsteps, diver Greg Louganis demonstrates how he won two gold medals at the Olympics, and paralysed Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic campaigns for peace.