Why we do what we do

All non-profit organizations have a "mission statement". It helps explain their existence and gives the staff and volunteers a sense of purpose in their work. HOPE's mission is unique in that we provide hands-on psychosocial and financial assistance directly to patients in need. Last year, we touched the lives of 73% of the patients estimated to have been diagnosed with cancer in northwest Arkansas. Very often, this mission comes home to us in a very sobering way, not only fueling our determination to reach as many patients as possible, but also reminding us that life and family and security is precious. And for some, fleeting.

On June 9th, 2008 Jessica and our summer intern, Hannah, were told by the nurses at Highlands Oncology Clinic that a walk-in patient was waiting to see a doctor and would probably need assistance. They also informed them that the patient, “Ashley” aged 33 years old, would not need our help long-term because her cancer was everywhere and she would probably not live another month.

When Jessica and Hannah went to meet Ashley in the waiting room, she was leaning against the front desk counter in pain, unable to sit in a chair. Ashley and her step-grandmother slowly followed them back to the consultation room where she continued to stand in pain with tears in her eyes. The distress tool, a survey she had filled out in the waiting room, indicated Ashley was highly stressed and in need of financial and emotional services, but the most striking aspect of the form was one word Ashley had scribbled - “Terrified.”

As our staff visited with Ashley to discern her needs and try to give her a sense of comfort and hope, she talked about not wanting to die and shared her desire to go back to school. It was heartbreaking to hear her story through her tears as they knew her situation was dire. It was soon revealed that Ashley had a 14 year old son who did not know she was sick. He was at a summer camp and would be there until the 28th of June. This caused some concern because our staff knew it was possible Ashley would not be alive by the time her son came home.

As she spoke to Jessica and Hannah, Ashley indicated that she and her son were the only support each other had. The step-grandmother was willing to take them in and take Ashley to her doctor appointments, but Ashley did not have any money or other assets and had been denied disability and unemployment. She was in the midst of a Medicaid spend down so she did not have anything to contribute to the extra costs that the grandmother was taking on.

When Ashley exited her appointment with the doctor that same day, Hannah was outside the exam room with a fuel card, literature to help Ashley prepare to tell her son of her diagnosis, a cancer care application to help her receive extra funds, and adult diapers for her hemorrhaging. Ashley was comforted by the immediate help and a familiar face in the oncology clinic.

To date, we have helped Ashley with $425.00 in gasoline, $270.00 in prescription assistance, and obtaining other resources for her. Ashley and her son are doing well. HOPE, Inc. is continuing to help her as she enters her last week of treatment.

This is why we do what we do.