Leukemia Treatment and Other Success Stories Winter 2023

SOCOM Care Coalition: Medical Travel reimbursement: “Attached is a request on behalf of MSG John Norman. He and his wife found out their infant son was diagnosed with Infantile Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (terminal). While he was in the hospital, John made many trips back and forth to the hospital to be with them while also taking care of the other 2 children. The request is for reimbursement of his fuel and parking during that time. Total request is $1,610.53.

SOCOM: Medical Costs: Robert Penn’s daughter Laura has been diagnosed with leukemia and has significant lower extremity weakness and muscle atrophy and must use a walker device at home under limited conditions secondary to strength. Provider has recommended that Laura undergo PT/OT therapy at home since she has a deficient immune system. No providers that offer this service accept Tricare. The total for 12 treatments ($150/treatment) comes to $1,800. Request is for payment to the clinic for the 12 treatments

Code of Support: Preventing Homelessness “I am working with a Marine veteran, David Warner, 70% Service connected for anxiety. He is a single father of two girls, ages 9 & 11. He was working but had to quit in October because of his anxiety but was able to get a new job in December. He fell behind on rent and some of his bills and has been unable to catch up on them and now has an eviction notice. He has a pending claim with the VA and has filed the hardship paperwork. He will be financially stable moving forward but needs help to catch up. Rental assistance, phone, and electric bill total $4,666.02. The past due rent is $2,097.05, rent for February is 1851.00, phone is 292.20, and electric is 425.77.

The Independence Fund:  Another eviction prevention:  “I have a possible candidate for you.  Mr. Barnes recently left the service in 2021.  He works full time, however, had a heart attack in December 2022 which put him out of work. He is behind on rent due to a medical emergency. They have one child, age 10. He is also working on filing for his VA disability rating. He currently needs $2800 for rent including late fees.”

The Independence Fund: Rent and Car Payments.  “I have a medically discharged Army National Guardsmen with two combat tours. One to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. He and his wife lost their home in Hurricane Ida. They were able to find a new rental, however, soon discovered it was in a heavy crime area that really affected Eric and his PTSD.  He moved his wife and family to a safer environment and he is working on his mental health. They have one child at home diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and an older daughter in her first year of community college. The daughter assists the mom with her sibling and dad while the mom works in the local school district. They are behind on rent and two months of their car payment. They are looking for help to assist. Rent is $1400, car payment is $483 x 2= $966. The total need to get them out of the black is $2,366.00” 

Independence Fund: Rent.  Tina Morris is a 100% service-connected veteran with three combat tours to Iraq.  She is a single mom to two children, ages 12 and 3. She also cares for her mom. She has to deal with multiple injuries daily, including PTSD, migraines, depression, anxiety, and spine issues. Tina was using a new medication, which had severe side effects. During the early stages of the medicine, she mismanaged her funds, causing an $800 shortage in her rent.