When you talk to Karyn M., you can feel her struggles. Her voice carries quiet and heavy.
“I don’t feel good,” she said. “I have cancer.”
Despite her health battle, Karyn wanted to share her story. For Karyn and her family, life has been a series of challenges. Both she and her husband are disabled, and they care for their 21-year-old son, who is also disabled.
Recently, their Social Security checks were reduced, leaving them with even less to cover basic needs. Then came the breaking point: their gas service was about to be shut off.
“That same day, I had a doctor’s appointment, and I was crying about it,” Karyn recalled.
Her doctor overheard her distress and quietly acted, connecting her with a caseworker. Within days, United Way of Greater Kansas City reached out through our Critical Medical Needs program, a partnership with Evergy and Spire that helps families facing medical challenges keep their utilities connected.
“We were all just so worried about what to do with our gas about to be shut off,” Karyn said. “I truly believe that it helped my pain. It helped take a lot of stress off my shoulders.”
Over the past year-and-a-half, the Critical Medical Needs program has supported nealry 900 unique clients, with assistance totaling $800,000.
To the partners and donors that make this program possible, Karyn said, “They changed my life for the better. I know they’ve changed many lives for the better. I very much appreciate what United Way and the donors did for me and my family. That was wonderful.”
The road ahead may still be a bit bumpy, but Karyn and her family are getting through, one day at a time.
“We’re okay. I was able to buy and pay cash for some groceries this morning. It’s either bills or food, so I picked food. That was a blessing,” she said.
For many families in our community, the choice between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table is a heartbreaking reality. Your support is more valuable than ever in helping us address this critical issue. This holiday season, make a financial gift or give your time to volunteer. To learn more about ways you can give back, visit here.