2024/2025 Bronson Health Foundation DAF Support
Feeding tube supplies for BBC Cancer Patient (1 year supply)
*NICU Camera (In memory of Mary Rapelje – recognition on screen)
Housing Support for BMH Cancer Center Patient (2 months of rent)
*Nutritional Supplements for Cancer Patients – $1000 towards 2025 needs
*Hoyer Lift for Battle Creek Cancer Center
*Bariatric treatment/infusion chair for Kalamazoo Cancer Center
Dental Extractions for a patient with Head & Neck Cancer
Housing Support for BBC Cancer Patient
*Milk for Moms – one month supply for one baby – provides pasteurized donor breastmilk for babies with a mom undergoing cancer treatment.
Impact Stories
BRONSON CANCER CENTER KALAMAZOO HAD A PATIENT UNDER ACTIVE TREATMENT FOR BREAST CANCER THAT WAS IN NEED OF HOUSING SUPPORT. THE PATIENT WAS LIVING WITH HER ADULT DAUGHTER IN AN APARTMENT. THE DAUGHTER HAD A SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND LEFT THE APARTMENT THAT SHE WAS PAYING FOR WHICH LEFT THE PATIENT WITH VERY LIMITED SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME, TO PAY FOR RENT AND UTILITIES. THIS PATIENT WAS FACING EVICTION FROM THEIR HOME WHILE UNDERGOING TREATMENT.THE MARY RAPELJE DAF PROVIDED TWO MONTHS OF HOUSING SUPPORT FOR THIS PATIENT WHILE THE SOCIAL WORK TEAM WORKED WITH THIS PATIENT TO SECURE A MORE AFFORDABLE LONG TERM HOUSING SITUATION
A patient was recently diagnosed with head and neck cancer and needed to undergo chemo and radiation treatment as soon as possible. To prepare for this type of treatment, the patient was required to have a dental exam to see if there were any dental concerns that may put them at higher risk for an infection during treatment. unfortunately, this exam revealed that the patient needed to have all their teeth extracted prior to treatment. the patient’s insurance would not cover the cost of the extractions due to the patients limited finances they were unable to pay for it. The mary rapelje daf was able to fund this crucial service so the patient could continue with the treatment they needed.
FAMILIES TYPICALLY DO NOT PLAN ON EXPERIENCING OUR NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, NOR DOES ANY FAMILY WANT TO LEAVE THE BEDSIDE OF THEIR NEW BABY. THESE CAMERAS ALLOW ANY FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS WITH THE LOGIN INFORMATION TO SEE THEIR BABY AT ANY TIME WHILE THEY ARE STAYING WITH US IN THE NICU. IT CAN BE CHALLENGING FOR PARENTS TO BE PRESENT AT THE NICU ALL THE TIME, ESPECIaLLY IN A NICU WHEN STAYS OFTEN SPAN WEEKS AND MONTHS. THESE CAMERAS PROVIDE SPECIAL KIND OF SUPPORT; THEY GIVE PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ACCESS THAT CAN EASE FEARS AND CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT BABY IS DOING WHEN THEY AREN’T ABLE TO BE THERE.The Mary Rapelje DAF funded a camera because Mary lived for her grandkids. Heartbreakingly, she had to meet her first grandson over FaceTime as she was unable to go to the hospital due to her illness. Her love and dedication to her family inspired this initiative, ensuring that other families can create and cherish precious moments together, even in the face of adversity.
Many patients undergoing cancer treatment require frequent visits to the cancer center especially when undergoing radiation treatment. Frequent visits for patients that have transportation barriers or are too weak to transport themselves and do not have a care person available can create a barrier to receiving proper treatment. By providing funding towards transportation services, our cancer center care teams are able to arrange for rides for these patients to ensure they are able to make it to all their scheduled treatments.
A patient was recently diagnosed with head and neck cancer and needed to undergo chemo and radiation treatment as soon as possible. To prepare for this type of treatment, the patient was required to have a dental exam to see if there were any dental concerns that may put them at higher risk for an infection during treatment. unfortunately, this exam revealed that the patient needed to have all their teeth extracted prior to treatment. the patient’s insurance would not cover the cost of the extractions due to the patients limited finances they were unable to pay for it. The mary rapelje daf was able to fund this crucial service so the patient could continue with the treatment they needed.
a patient at the battle creek cancer center had been going through treatment of head and neck cancer. post surgery and treatment, the patient is unable to eat by mouth and became dependent on feeding tube nutrition. The patient was previously on medicaid, but when they turned 65 and transitioned to medicare, the feeding tube nutritional supplements were no longer covered. on a very limited income, this was a huge financial barrier.The mary rapelje daf provided funding for 1 year of feeding tube supplies while this patient adjusted not only his new lifestyle change, but also readjusted his finances to accommodate his new lifelong expenseOn top of all the medical needs, this patient is also being homeschooled. With this patient’s 24-hour needs, the mother is unable to return to work until treatment is over. The family was recently approved for disability which has given them some income, but with this income they are now no longer eligible for food stamps. This family has been without income since June of 2022 (when patient was first diagnosed). They have depleted their savings and family support and have fallen behind on all of their bills. Our pediatric oncology team anticipates that the patient will need to continue this treatment plan for at least 6 months. Because of your generosity, we were able to cover 6 months of housing expenses for this family so they can focus on healing.
Many patients undergoing cancer treatment require frequent visits to the cancer center especially when undergoing radiation treatment. Frequent visits for patients that have transportation barriers or are too weak to transport themselves and do not have a care person available can create a barrier to receiving proper treatment. By providing funding towards transportation services, our cancer center care teams are able to arrange for rides for these patients to ensure they are able to make it to all their scheduled treatments.
A cancer patient recently became unhoused when his previous housing arrangement changed unexpectedly; leaving him, his significant other and child homeless. Bronson Health Foundation supported the cost to help get them settled into a local motel temporarily. Your gift continued to provide temporary housing support until long-term housing was secured and also covered the deposit for long-term housing. Undergoing cancer treatment is scary and stressful as it is, but not having a home for your family during your treatment makes it significantly more difficult. By providing this family with housing support, you helped the patient to be able to focus on his care and gave him a sense of security that was lifechanging during this difficult time.
The mother of a 9-year-old patient that is currently undergoing extensive treatment for a very complex blastoma, needed housing support. The father was incarcerated, and the mother had to quit her full-time job to provide 24-hour care for her child. Due to the treatment this patient was undergoing, the patient became wheelchair bound and required daily sessions of physical and occupational therapy as well as outpatient chemotherapy with intermitted inpatient chemotherapy.
On top of all the medical needs, this patient is also being homeschooled. With this patient’s 24-hour needs, the mother is unable to return to work until treatment is over. The family was recently approved for disability which has given them some income, but with this income they are now no longer eligible for food stamps. This family has been without income since June of 2022 (when patient was first diagnosed). They have depleted their savings and family support and have fallen behind on all of their bills. Our pediatric oncology team anticipates that the patient will need to continue this treatment plan for at least 6 months. Because of your generosity, we were able to cover 6 months of housing expenses for this family so they can focus on healing.
Bronson’s Pediatric Hematology & Oncology clinic had a patient that was diagnosed with leukemia. The specific type of leukemia cannot be determined without sending specimens for special molecular testing that is only performed by MD Anderson in Texas. The patient’s insurance, United Healthcare Medicaid, informed the practice that he does not have any “Out of Network Benefits” and given the recent diagnosis, is not yet covered under Children’s Special Healthcare Services. Timing is critical to determine the type of treatment regimen needed to treat his cancer. Your gift was able to cover the cost of the molecular testing which provided the patient, family and care team with prompt answers so they could begin treatment.
A patient that was going through lymphoma treatment needed financial assistance to secure housing. Housing was found for the patient through Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK), which is Kalamazoo County’s Community Mental Health Services Program. Between some funding from ISK and the patient’s SSI (disability supplemental income) the patient was still $1,000 short. By supporting this patient’s financial housing needs, this patient was able to undergo treatment and have the security of having a place to call home.