Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Initial Request for RAM Clinic assistance - MET!

We received a request in April from UVA Medical Center’s Director of Social Work for support for the Wise, VA Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic. Noel Dianas-Hughes asked if we could provide funds to support vouchers for medication (narcotics) for pain control, especially for dental work, at the RAM clinic from July 23-26, 2009. Support of up to $1000 was needed at that time.

IHS is pleased to announce that a check for that request was presented to Director Dianas-Hughes this past week for the RAM clinic fund, which also allows for any funds raised above the needed medications to be utilized for diagnostic tests for RAM patients who are not insured and mostly not employed.

If you are not familiar with the project in Wise, there were patients from past clinics who left the fairground setting following a dental procedure without money to pay for a pain control medication. Vouchers are issued so that patients can obtain their medications at area pharmacies in Wise, VA. Last year over 2,600 were treated in the fairgrounds at Wise, mostly by volunteer medical personnel from UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville and VCU Dental School in Richmond. Several hundred volunteers are preparing to travel for this year.

IHS is a nonprofit, non-religious, no stock, and with no paid staff, public charity, an approved 501(c)(3) organization, qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts. Contributions to IHS are deductible under section 170 of the IRS Code. Elisheva and T. Wade Clegg III of Palmyra, VA started this charity with the confidence that medical professionals and community interests will recognize its importance, and join us in making a very significant difference. You may designate your tax deductible check: For medication and diagnostic tests at Wise, VA RAM clinic, or allow your contribution to be used for immediate lodging, co-pay, transportation and food needs which are on-going.

Just today, as we write this July notice, a patient scheduled for cancer surgery from SW Virginia now has a hotel room for 3 days for her arrival and then for her husband and child to remain near her. Because of a child with special needs who can not be left alone, and must accompany the parents, the Hospitality House can not provide lodging. Therefore, the only alternative for emergency lodging for this short duration is IHS. We continue to make a difference.

Your support through cumulative contributions of $10, $25, and more will never allow anyone to leave the RAM clinic without a chance to obtain pain meds, or cause a patient to delay cancer surgery based on lack of funds for lodging.
Thanks so very much for your attentionThe Cleggs.