I stumbled upon it when I was fighting cancer. I am now working with a group of people that are trying to find better ways to help fund treatments for families without insurance or are under insured. Seeing someone turned down for treatment, in America, because of their insurance plan or not being able to afford the treatments – and believe me, very few of us could really afford them, was one of the most devastating moments of my illness.
Watching a mother work two jobs to cover her son’s insurance plan, and missing most of his treatments (while I was in-patient) was a horrible thing to witness. I was lucky enough to meet and befriend this young boy, unfortunately, he passed away. I think of all the time his mother had to miss with him, just to keep him insured. What he needed was his mother, not some system that stands in the way of the family.
My goal is to form a foundation that can help families in the midst of a medical crisis, not just limited to one disease or another. Across the board. Also, to help educate patients and families. Make them aware of so many programs that are out there, to help them, in their time of need.
As I work on this goal, I learn more and more and find more people willing to help. It started in my hospital room and has grown to a group of 15 people, meeting regularly and starting to put the plan in action. Eventually, I’d love to sell off my business and work on this, full time. That day will come, but it sure feels good to be working on something that I think I was truly meant to do.