One in ten trauma patients faces catastrophic health bills exceeding 20% of their household income. Uncovered costs such as lost income, informal caregiving, and home modifications can further amplify these financial burdens, especially during recovery. The Stepping Strong Trauma Survivor Fund helps bridge this gap, giving survivors in financial need the support they require to heal and rebuild.
Our Response
The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation seeks to ease this stress through the Stepping Strong Trauma Survivor Fund, providing temporary support for essential life needs for the most vulnerable of patients during acute care and recovery. Our goal is to expand this fund so that every vulnerable patient can recover from a traumatic injury without worrying about meeting basic living expenses.
Since the launch of the fund, the center has made a significant impact in the recovery of the most vulnerable of trauma patients and assisted them through this difficult time in their lives.
85 patients
Served by the Trauma Survivor Fund
$50 supports
A patient’s transportation to medical appointments
$100 gift cards
Helps patients buy essentials like groceries
This support provides immediate relief from immense financial strain and improves the quality of life for patients after injury, thereby enhancing their recovery progress.
Comprehensive Support for Trauma Survivors and Their Families in Financial Need
We alleviate patients’ worries about whether they can afford adequate food while on their healing journey by providing the means to purchase groceries.
Adequate transportation can be a significant barrier to visiting injured family members in the hospital and accessing follow-up care after discharge. We provide assistance for public transportation, gas, and parking to those in need.
Many patients receive support from insurance companies or non-profit organizations to cover only a portion of the costs for their medical supplies. We fill this gap in coverage by providing support for medical supply expenses not otherwise covered through insurance or non-profit assistance.
Some patients may be unable to return to their own home after hospital discharge. For example, a victim of violence who is attacked in their home may have safety concerns at their home, or a patient may be unable to return home due to property damage from a house fire and therefore need housing relocation. We provide rent and mortgage assistance and temporary housing relocation to the most vulnerable of patients.
Many trauma patients are hospitalized for extended periods and have not only incurred extensive medical bills, but also must pay for their rent/mortgage and utility bills during this period. We allocate funds to help cover these critical bill payments for those in financial need.
Expenses associated with a funeral and burial are often a shocking and painful burden for families already suffering the unexpected loss of a loved one. We provide support to those in financial need who have lost loved ones to traumatic injury by helping to cover the costs of funeral and burial services not otherwise covered by insurance or victim’s compensation funds.
Highlights
of Hope
Critical Bill Payments
One patient sustained traumatic injuries from a motor vehicle crash and was unable to return to work for months while he recovered. As the primary provider for his wife and child, the family was overwhelmed by mounting medical bills in addition to the loss of his income. Struggling to meet basic needs, they urgently needed assistance with housing costs, including rent and utility bills. The Stepping Strong Trauma Survivor Fund provided crucial support, covering these expenses to help this patient and his family during this difficult time.
Housing
One beneficiary suffered traumatic burn injuries when her house caught on fire while she and her family were asleep. Fortunately, they escaped the flames, but lost their home and all of their belongings. While waiting for homeowners insurance to cover the expenses for a new place to live, the Stepping Strong Trauma Survivor Fund provided a hotel stay for the patient and her family in the interim.
Transportation
A mechanic suffered traumatic injuries during a workplace incident. Unable to return to work for an extended period and with no other sources of income, he struggled to afford necessities like groceries. With numerous medical appointments and no means of transportation, he encountered significant obstacles during his recovery. The Stepping Strong Trauma Survivor Fund provided critical support, covering transportation and groceries to assist him through this challenging time.
Your donation helps re-imagine care for trauma survivors.