Health challenges can bring a difficult combination of emotional strain and financial hardship. That’s been the reality for Connie S. and her husband, a cancer survivor who is also living with COPD, and Connie, who manages lymphedema. The couple faced mounting medical bills despite their best efforts to stay afloat.
“All of these constant doctor visits and medications that we have to take; they end up costing us a lot,” Connie explained. “I’ve been able to keep up with our utilities, but our medical bills had really fallen behind.”
Thanks to support through a United Way initiative, the couple received a prepaid debit card through Grandview Assistance Program, a United Way Impact 100 partner. It helped with medical expenses, gas for getting to treatment, and groceries.
Grandview Assistance Program is one of 20 community partners participating in the second round of this initiative, a program designed to provide fast, flexible relief to households in immediate financial crisis. This year, 675 households have received an average amount of $915 in aid.
Beyond financial relief, Connie described the meaningful, emotional impact of the support they received.
“People can get so stressed when they can’t keep up with their bills,” she said. “This relieved a lot of that tension. My husband and I probably didn’t fight as much because we were able to take care of a few more things.”
Without this help, she believes her husband’s health could have worsened.
“He probably wouldn’t have gone to the doctor in the times that he needed to,” she shared. “I didn’t want him to feel like he couldn’t go to the hospital because we couldn’t afford it. It made me feel freer.”
Connie said the support was a true blessing and hopes others in similar situations will have the same opportunity
“We’re very grateful. When people reach out and help others in times of need, that is just something that makes all our lives a lot better,” she said.
Thanks to support from community partners and donors, local neighbors can find more than relief—they can find financial security and hope when it’s needed most. Give today to help more Kansas City neighbors.