We often see CarePortal requests for tangible needs such as diapers/wipes, car seats, beds, utility bills, all which have the impact potential of life change. We coach our church network to “look past the request” to ask what else could be helpful for this family? Other times, the life impact is a little more direct. __________ churches in our Central Oklahoma CarePortal network received the following request from an OKDHS Caseworker.
The Request:
The child is 14 years old and in end stage renal failure and needs to be placed on the transplant list. She receives dialysis Monday and Fridays at OU Children’s hospital from 12pm to 4pm. The Ronald McDonald house have been paying for a hotel room for the mother and child to stay in so the child can be close to the hospital to receive treatment but the funds have run out and the mother and child have to leave the hotel tomorrow. The mother and child are homeless, have no transportation, and have nowhere else to go. The closest friend lives in Vinita, OK, which is nowhere close to the hospital here in OKC where the child receives her treatment. We are asking for funds to help to remain in the hotel room until the mother’s housing voucher is approved through the housing authority. Thank you.
The Impact
One of our team members shares how this request impacted her personally:
When I saw this request for a hotel stay for a mom and her 14-year-old daughter who is undergoing dialysis and awaiting being added to the kidney transplant list, it really touched my heart. My family and community have been directly impacted by organ transplants. My uncle was a transplant recipient and my best friend donated her kidney to her dad, with our families walking out much of that process together.
The criteria for transplant eligibility are not well known. Did you know that stable housing is a requirement? Because of the generosity of multiple community responders and the commitment of the local Church to relationally engage, this 14 year old and her mother have one less obstacle in the way of being on the transplant list! Because of the CarePortal network, this family has more stable housing that allows for rest while they are waiting for an open spot with a local ministry, Leah’s Hope. Without the combined efforts to provide for the extended-stay hotel, the family would only have the option of a shelter (which could impact the transplant list option) while they waited for approval for section 8 housing.
As mom began to open up and share her story, we discovered additional needs and were able to connect her with a couple of local organizations who provide transitional housing along with a support system for this family so that this mom can keep her daughter local for treatment and safe from a domestic violence situation.
God has greatly provided in amazing ways for this mom and her daughter and it was a blessing to watch it happen. On every phone call, mom was grateful for the Church and praising God!
We would be grateful for any prayers for this mom and her family for provision and healing and ease of this process as it is a long and difficult one. So grateful for our community responders stepping up!