If you follow this blog, then you know I’m trying to raise money for my friend whose two children are getting surgery on the 14th and 15th of this month. I live about 7 hours away from Tanyia and I can’t be there to help her with the day-to-day things she needs (childcare, shopping, dinner) – and so I asked the question, “how can I help?” That’s when I found GiveForward.com.
GiveForward is set up specifically to help people raise money for medical expenses. There are many heart breaking stories on the site of families in need. It was launched in August 2008 and, according to the site, “has helped thousands of people raise millions of dollars for things like chemotherapy, organ transplants, mission trips, funeral expenses, and their favorite non-profits.”
When I set up Tanyia’s page, it started out like any other web-based, person-free online experience. However, a couple of days after the fundraiser began, I was contacted by a fundraising coach who offered to help me in any way he could. GiveForward’s Marketing Director also reached out to me to give me some support, offer up encouraging words for Sydney and Kennedy and just let me know that there are a bunch of humans behind the machine. That really meant a lot.
Now, I’m going to get a little political here which I try not to do on this blog, but as the parent of a child who has unusually high medical needs (as are many of you who find this blog), I can’t help myself. Raising money for medical expenses is nothing new. Even if all medical expenses were completely covered by a person’s insurance, other needs arise – like if the primary breadwinner gets sick and can’t provide…bread.
But when I read through people’s stories on GiveForward, the sheer NEED for a better healthcare system in this country is painfully, embarrassingly apparent. Tanyia should NOT have to lay out 40% of her earnings for the year just so her children can get the surgery they need. Cancer treatments, kidney transplants, rehabilitation after strokes, car accidents and heart attacks should not cripple a family!
I am thankful for GiveForward and for the ability to help friends and families raise money for people with enormous medical bills, but I am also extremely angry that we’re all in this position in the first place.
The site has helped raised over 8 million dollars for various medical expenses which is, indeed, huge. But, here’s what makes me mad. In 2009, the five largest for-profit insurers reported a combined profit of $12.2 billion.
In May 2011, the New York times reported that Health Insurance companies showed record profits because people are paying exorbitant premiums and going to the doctor less. I ask you this, WHAT THE HELL ARE WE PAYING FOR?
I’m writing all this now because I know that it’s not easy to ask people for money. I feel bad about it even though I desperately want to help my friend. I’m sure the people on the site who need the money to save their child, their spouse, their friend – all feel this odd guilt about asking for money, but what choice do we have? Why don’t insurance companies feel bad about raking us all over the coals while they make record profits?
This year I will have spent over $8000 in insurance premiums to “cover” my family and paid an additional $7000 out of pocket which doesn’t even meet my family deductible of $10,000. This is not a good deal! My insurance coverage this year will be just as crappy, although I am happy to say my premiums are going down for the first time in years. But for this luxury, I will need to pay $9000 out of pocket before I see a dime in benefits.
So, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room. Insurance companies are not providing a service. They are getting in the way of people receiving good healthcare (or any healthcare) and it’s not right.
*getting down from soapbox*
So, all that said, let me turn back to the main purpose of GiveForward – which is to help families – by providing links to the pages of all the families I could find who are trying to raise money for their babies who need cleft surgeries.
Love to Navy Bean Goal $25,000
Pendley Smile Fund – Goal $11,000
Franky Minaglia – Goal $6000
Give for Gavin – Goal $10,000
Jacob Andrew Glover – Goal $15,000
Mending Milo’s Heart – Goal $10,000 (Milo also has a cleft palate)