Some Points of Clarification ... Well Worth Repeating

UVA Medical Center is one of two Virginia Hospitals offering state-supported opportunities to those often referred to as Pay Grade One (indigent category). This institution is also a major center for a vast number of specialists in every medical discipline who can offer diagnosis and treatment not possible in vast numbers of towns and communities in the State of Virginia. Vikki Bravo, a Clinical Social Worker in the UVA Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (ECCCC),  offered this comment last year, and it is still  relevant today: "We work with many indigent patients, who even if they receive discounted or free care, cannot afford the expenses of lodging, food, gas." She added, "Sometimes they can stay at our Hospitality House, but if there are no openings, or they have children under 18, they need to stay in hotels. We are fortunate that the University of Virginia has a state-supported discount system, but if a person can't afford to get here or stay (and eat) overnight, then all the other benefits don't help." How far are patients traveling to secure this lifeline at UVA Medical Center? UVA Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center When we speak of lodging assistance for people coming from a "distance," many people don't realize how far these patients must travel for medical assistance which is only provided to them in Charlottesville. Once again, planning for that decision for vital treatment so far from home presents a tremendous challenge for families already under water financially.   We reviewed just the last 45 days for a partial list of those hometowns of patients, with the majority being served in the UVA Hospital's Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center.  This sampling of distances included Danville, VA (138 miles);  Freis, VA (197 miles); Jewell Ridge, VA (266 miles); Ransom, WV (157 miles); Springfield, VA (105 miles); Coal City, WV (200 miles); Alexandria, VA (112 miles), etc.  The average distance was 176 miles one way for fifteen (15) patients and families which IHS assisted with lodging in this 6 week period.   Most  of these patients, already experiencing very real limitations, are driven by a caregiver. Others arrive alone via a Medicaid vehicle or commercial bus. A few long term cases actually must bring a child with them when no one is in their life to assist. Appointments are critical to their well-being, and many do repeat visits.   Almost three years dedicated to 24/7 contact for UVA Medical Center Social Workers IHS activated an open line for the UVA Social Staff in April 2009. The objective was to have one dependable charity which would respond with temporary assistance for lodging, food, and overnight emergency co-pay and prescriptions. It is an understatement to say that this can be a challenge for a few people available solely as volunteers every day and night of the year. However, we have managed to balance personal lives to stay at the task.   The Full-day Meal Packet Program Assures that No Caregiver Goes Hungry Thanks to Margaret Gorman's wonderful involvement with IHS in late 2008, beginning with the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church Sunday School classes, she engaged other churches, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, and even neighborhood groups to make full-day meal packets. These meals are placed  in the UVA Medical Center Social Office every two weeks to serve those caregivers without proper nourishment stranded with patients. Food Program is on-going in 2012 ... and always in need of active participation Thomas Jefferson Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church Margaret's TJMC UU Church just delivered another 52 meals from the Youth Group assembly session on January 22nd.  Thanks to  Morgan, Emily, Esther, Jarad, Patrick, and their leaders Amy, Carrie and John.  The Church's Religious Education Program is presently involved in another assembly session to provide another 100 full day meals in February.   A belated mention goes out to Boy Scout Troop 36, which meets at Charlottesville's First Methodist Church.  Back in late December, Troop Leader Don Kimpel, delivered 50 meal packets which were collected for use in January.   As a Final Reminder ... Where to Find Details for Participating and Making Meal Packets! The menu options are expanding on the website Home Page by clicking onto http://www.interfaithhumanitariansanctum.org,  which says "Welcome."   Across the top of the Welcome page is the designation: Food Program. This offers a full description of the Meal Packet Program and the food program for the UVA Hospitality House. There is now a link in the Meal Packet Program on one page for down-load which describes the program, how one can be involved and a complete list of potential items to include in making a gallon size zip lock package.  Whether a family, class, club or scout troop ... the objective is still 250 meal packets monthly to meet present needs.  We would truly appreciate your involvement.   Sincerely ... T. Wade