I want you to know that your generosity has changed my life. For 34 years, I have been a clinical social worker working first at a community hospital, then home health, and for the last 10 plus years on several surgical teams at UCLA. I encounter heart-wrenching situations every day. I have always had some small ways I could help our patients deal with the financial impacts of their illnesses. At my other hospitals, we had a small charity fund we could access in rare circumstances. Here at UCLA, we can get $5 meal tickets if people live far away, and we have a few parking validations per month per social worker. We have very limited Auxiliary funds which mostly help with just food and gasoline. And for older adults, similar limited gifts from a family foundation. Until now, that felt like something. A gesture at least.
But for the last few months, when I’ve had a family who needs more to weather the financial impact of serious illness, you have been their angels. Truly. You have allowed me to help our patients and families in a way that I have never been able to help. To lift the burden that allows them to focus on their battle with the disease and being there for each other. Thank you for your huge hearts and incredible generosity which allow me to be creative in how we can offer support to those in need to help them through these hard times and back self-sufficiency.
With gratitude,
Change Reaction Recipient