Your Gift Makes Life Happen — Join Us in Supporting the Life Happens Patient Assistance Program
This year, we’re evolving our annual Day of Giving into a GivingTuesday celebration! Join us as we continue raising funds for the Life Happens Patient Assistance Program to help improve the quality of life for patients in need.
What is GivingTuesday?
GivingTuesday is a global movement focused on community action and generosity that takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Created as a counterpoint to the commercialism of shopping holidays like Black Friday, it encourages people to give back through donations, volunteering, acts of kindness, or fundraising for causes they care about.
“GivingTuesday strives to build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity, and equity around the globe.”
When life happens, we’re here to help.
The Life Happens Patient Assistance Program is a special fund designed to help patients with needs that fall outside traditional medical or financial assistance. Its purpose is to improve a patient’s quality of life in meaningful, individualized ways. Examples include providing items such as an air conditioner for an elderly patient who can’t afford one, assisting with travel expenses to attend medical appointments, or fulfilling a final wish for someone receiving hospice care.
- All requests for assistance through the Life Happens Fund are initiated by clinicians on behalf of their patients. This ensures that the support provided is appropriate, compassionate, and aligned with the patient’s overall care plan.
- The program is sustained through donations from staff and the community, reflecting a shared commitment to caring for patients beyond their clinical needs.
Small Acts, Big Impact: A Life Happens Story
Meet Calvin. At just five years old he needed bilateral hip surgery. His loving grandparents, who care for him every day, couldn’t afford the special equipment necessary for his recovery at home and without this support, the surgery risked being canceled. Thanks to the Life Happens Fund, Calvin received a simple wagon to help with transportation and a large bean-bag chair which allowed him to heal comfortably and safely surrounded by his family.
Impact at a Glance: Patients Served and Average Support Cost
In 2024, the Life Happens Fund approved 190 requests, with an average cost of $123 per request. Of these, 69 were pediatric-specific requests totaling $13,974.39, while 121 were for other patient needs, totaling $9,380.39.
This breakdown highlights how the fund supports a diverse range of patients, from children requiring specialized care to adults facing unique challenges. Life Happens focuses on making a meaningful difference, supporting patients on their healing journey and gently easing the everyday challenges they and their families face.
Every dollar tells a story:
- $10 provides adaptive utensils that help hospice patients eat with greater ease and dignity.
- $25 provides assistive technology devices to home health patients, supporting greater independence in daily living.
- $50 provides a pack-n-play to create a safe and comfortable space for a child.
- $100 provides a shower bench to enhance safety and comfort during bathing.
- $250 provides an air conditioning unit to improve living conditions and overall well-being.
