fundraising for medical/prayers

[hugabearjo]

Budget board friends- Please help me know what the laws are and any ideas are greatly appreciated and prayers are always welcome.

I have a dear friend who thought she had hurt her back at work. went to several doctors and they were all leaning that way. A couple weeks ago we found out that it isn't her back but probably an auto immune disease attacking her nerves or a vasculitis so her nerves aren't being fed. That really is all we know. They are sending her to Mayo Clinic at the first of the year Jan. 4-12.

She is a single mom, trying to work two jobs to make ends meet and now this. It was already going to be a slim christmas because her ex-husband moved out of state and quit paying child support.

She is having to come up with funds for flights, and hotel and food while at the Mayo Clinic. I know I have heard of funds being set up for people with medical problems. How do you go about doing something like that? are there tax problems? Any fast and easy fundraisers anyone can think of? we are planning a Speghetti feed for the end of Jan. or first part of Feb. but, that doesn't help with this first round of travel.

Any ideas would be great. I wish I were in a position to just hand her the money. Unfortunately, I too am a single Mom, struggling to get through nursing school.

Thanks-
Jo

 

[Justsyd2]

Usually you can contact your local news and/or radio station about this -- they have help in place to organize fund raisers, and/or they can get the word out.

 

[gk90]

A while back I saw some posts about this organization, Angel Flight. They help people with situations like your friend's.
http://www.angelflight.com/
"Angel Flight's mission is to serve people in need by arranging charitable flights for access to health care and for other humanitarian purposes."
For a Mayo Clinic flight you may be in the Central US area:
http://www.angelflightcentral.org/

If you google them you'll also find several sites for different areas of the country.

Sending good thoughts for her recovery!

 

[NYCDiane]

Angel Flight is awesome. I used to know a few of the pilots from that program and they are more than happy to do what they do to help people. Your friend should absolutely contact them. I'm sure they will help.

Also, is it possible the Mayo Clinic has a connection with a local hotel for discounts for their patients? I know when a friend of mine came to NYC from out of state for surgery, the hospital had an apartment building where families of the patients could rent apartments at deep discounts while the patient was in the hospital.

 

[Malibustyle23]

Im sure her jobs already know but if not I would go to them and ask them for donations. Sometimes especially corporations donate to charitable causes and this could be one. A local guy here needs new lungs the car dealership he works for has sponsored a car/new house raffle for him. He was on our local news and then made it to the abc national news show. Locally basket bingos are very big someone recently did one for someone who had a spinal cord accident. All the baskets were either donated or sponsored so all monies made was profit.

 

[Befferk]

Different states have different laws, especially for raffles and such. But a good place to check is your/her church!

 

[tink_lover]

Well, we have the Hope Lodge and Gift of Life homes, but they are for cancer patients and families. The only thing I know of is that certain congregations in town will sponsor a patient and in some instances the patient will stay in someone's home. Is your friend part of a church she could engage the pastor in making a connection to someone here?

 

[hugabearjo]

Thanks guys- I have a call into the national Angel flight, the regional ones I guess you can only travel up to 1000 miles and she is going about 1200 from our home. They gave me hope that the national one would be able to help. Now just on to food and hotel. any other suggestions. I have also contacted our church and they are also working on it.

Called a couple of local banks to ask about setting up a fund, and unfortunately we are in an ice storm and they are closed. Hopefully they will open this afternoon.

Thanks again- Please continue to send ideas

 

[Dizneydawn]

I am literally running out the door as we speak to leave for Disney but I have a ton of ideas and help to offer. My son was burned last year and had skin grafting and i totally understand and have gone through all of the above.

That and I live 50 minutes from Mayo and I have friends that work there - I know all about there hotel /food discounts - or at least can point you in the right direction and maybe offer her some home cooked meals while here.

Please call me - I will pm you my number.

Dawn

 

[sunnyshari]

You could contact the guidance counselor at the school where her children attend if they are school aged. Our school has set up a car wash at a local restaurant and if you have a Chick-fil-A restaurant nearby they may be willing to do a "spirit night" where 10-20% of the sales can go to that family.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I would check and see if you have a Community Foundation in your area. They usually have funds to help people in these types of situations

 

[v.t.]

Is there a Ronald McDonald house near the hospital? We lived in one for two months, and it was a life saver. They normally have food in the pantry and you can cook, which cuts down on food bills. Also, contact the hospital itself, sometimes they can help.

 

[2TxAgs]

Where will your friend fly from - Portland? Boise?

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Taco nights
Spagetti nights
Bingo
50/50 Raffles
Casino Night (most people are willing to loose just to help)
As silly as it might sound...what about putting buckets at various gas stations/stores etc? A friend of mine does this for the SPCA and gets about $40/month per location. Not a ton-but when every penny counts...it can add up...

Definitely look into local charities...We have some around here that are child specific-but help with things like travel, hotels, etc

I don't think you'll have much luck with Ronald McDonald-those are typically for parents that need to stay close to their hospitalized children.

Try getting in touch with the hospital social worker. Explain the situation. They have contact and can be a plethora of information and resources. (this might be a bit sticky as well-HIPAA and all...but definitely worth a shot!)

Good luck! Our thoughts are with you and your friend!