YES ... This charity is still making a difference!

Let's talk Lodging for a minute, for those who may not know any of the intimate details of service for the indigent and severely underfunded patients who must come to UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville from considerable distances. Prior to embarking on their trip to Charlottesville, many will have to consider how to balance lodging (if an outpatient), food for a period of days, and prescriptions prior to departure.  This challenge of actually being able to afford the expenses which surround a medical appointment or treatment can negate low income patients from coming for treatment.  If it sounds abhorrent that anyone would delay an appointment which might be life-threatening, please know that people in desperate financial strain will cancel treatment if their attention to themselves may cause financial stress on other family members. You've heard the saying attributed to someone in financial stress:  It's how to balance gas money for their vehicle and eat adequately, or bringing supplies for staying in their vehicle since hotels are simply too expensive to consider. Social Workers encounter desperate situations weekly in such a  large institutionThere are from 50-60 UVA Medical Center Social  Workers working all clinics throughout the Health System.  Considerable time is devoted to working a plan for what is known as a Pay Raise 1 patient.  This charity was begun in order to provide for immediate emergency situations, last minute arrivals, and often for those with a need for an extra day to complete a diagnosis. A few years ago, we also accepted the challenge of helping those extended stays at Hospitality House for outpatient chemotherapy in Cancer Center. Last week I received an e-mail from a Social Worker  who said ... "IHS has been such a blessing to so many of our underserved patients. In times of need and when no other assistance is available, your charity has been there to provide support. IHS has often bridged the gap in services from lodging to prescription assistance, without which patients would not have adequate access to healthcare. We are so grateful for this and all that IHS does for our community.  Thank you so very much." Sometimes sweet notes arrive in pairs, but almost never from someone being assistedPatients do not know to whom a Social Worker is seeking assistance for them, so it is indeed rare when a note arrives  in our P.O. Box.  However,  this past week a lady was feeling very depressed when she learned that her time in town would require three days, and she only had enough funds for one night.  The Social Worker told her that she had been able to secure assistance for her at Hospitality House, also a place where food is provided.   Mary Jackson, Supervisor at Hospitality House, did not tell this guest who was funding her stay, but she did accept a card from this very thankful patient, and mailed it to us. The card read, "God bless you all so much for paying my stay at Hospitality House. My cup runneth over. Thank you very much.  Sincerely with Love and thankfulness." So - YES - We are still making a difference.  And ... by the way ... we can always use some assistance with the Lodging budget.  Please remember that all of us at IHS are non-paid volunteers, and we are all donating what we can to IHS personally. Also remember - for transparency we hold the "Gold Seal of Approval" from the Guidestar.org national clearing house. Please do what you can. And, if you would like to donate now to our cause, please click the button below to go to our encrypted secure on-line donation form.   Thank you so much for your ideas and invitations to expose this charity's vital mission. NEVER shy away from seeking gift-giving from others when you know it will serve the needs of the least able. Much love, T. Wade Clegg III and Sam McLawhorn