Aaron and Amy

Amy reached out to Project 4031 for her patient Aaron. Aaron was only 34, but he was dying of duodenal cancer.  Although Aaron had family who often said they were going to help, in reality, Aaron was on his own in the world. To further complicate matters, social security, thinking he was living in a facility, had cut his medical benefits. He was receiving only $30 a month in assistance.

When Amy contacted us, things were desperate. Aaron had moved out of his assisted living facility where he had been the victim of verbal abuse from the manager who would withhold his pain medication. Aaron, frequently very sick from his cancer, had moved into an old camper. He did not have a fridge and the gas line was disconnected so he was without heat. The camper had flooded and as a result was mildewed and without running water. Amy and her team had personally purchased a space heater, blankets, and a microwave in an effort to keep Aaron warm as the colder weather set in. As of December 1st, he would be homeless.

Amy told me that in over 25 years of social work, she had never cried so much over a patient. She knew that if she could get him to the social security office, she could help get his benefits reinstated. If his benefits were reinstated, there would be money for decent housing, but they needed some time. Project 4031 was able to give them that time by paying for a month of rent at an extended stay hotel and sending Aaron a gift card for food and toiletries. When Amy gave Aaron the news that Project 4031 would be able to help, he responded, “I’ve been sick all day, but I’m feeling better already with this news!”

Once Aaron was moved into the extended stay hotel, Amy sent an update:

Aaron is so so so happy with his little "apartment!" And I'm also in a much more comfortable "space" because my mind is at ease knowing that he has a little more quality of life. 

Aaron stole my heart the first time I met him. I have children his age...so social worker mom has been on a roller coaster of emotions with Aaron's circumstances. 

It’s rewarding when things actually work out for my patients despite all the red tape, so please do share about this experience. Hopefully it will remind other social workers to always keep hope in their hearts even though it sometimes feels like having hope is for nothing. Also, hopefully it will help potential donors see how meaningful their donation is to the recipient and how their life can be improved...even though they're dying.