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What can I do if I cannot afford the Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments ?
Many parents desperately want to get HBO for their child, but cannot afford the cost. This can also be true for surgeries or other medical treatments. The following are some ideas to cut costs or to find funding.

RAISE MONEY OR GET DONATIONS

  • One mother donated money to a hospital and did a fund-raiser to raise money for HBO research. Her son was automatically part of the pilot study and got treatments.

  • Some are getting churches to sponsor the first 40 treatments to see if it works.

  • Others asked family members to donate to a trust set up for the child. Local television stations and newspapers have helped by featuring the stories.

  • Another mom organized a spagetti dinner at her church and raised $15,000 in one night!

  • Parents are getting their state's Community Options Programs to pay for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as well as their Family Support dollars. In Wisconsin families are given up to $3000 a year to pay for things for their child. Items or services should relate to helping the family keep the child in the family and prevent institutionalization.

  • A mother in Texas got her Children's Miracle Network organization to pay for her child's HBO.

  • In Illinois the local Elks club donated $12,000 for the families getting HBO from a mobile unit.

  • If you go to a HBO clinic with a doctor your insurance can be billed. About 1/3 of those billing insurance are getting it covered, especially if they can document improvements.

  • Parents are putting together a letter featuring their child's picture and a story about their need for HBO. They hand them out to freinds and people at work and ask them to make copies and help distribute. MUMS can send sample letters to those interested.

  • Another idea is to put pictures of your child on canisters and place them in local businesses.

    Remember, "Ask and thou shalt receive." If fact you are doing others a favor by asking them because it gives them an opportunity to do an unselfish act for another. Keep track of the names of donors and send them a follow-up telling of the improvements and need for more funds.

    OPEN A MEDICAL TRUST FUND
    To raise money without causing your child to lose SSI and to protect the money from taxes, you can open a medical trust at a bank. Make sure the name of the trust contains the reason for the trust, such as: "John Smith's Hyperbaric Trust " or Stacy Thompson's Medical Trust". Have all donations sent to the trust and have the banl pay the clinic directly. People cannot get a tax deduction for donations, but the family only has to pay taxes on the income from interest if any.

    LODGING COSTS
    Some parents are going to sites near where their relatives or friends live to save money on their lodging cost. One innovative mother placed an ad in the local newspaper in the town where she wanted to take her child. She did a search on the internet to find the phone numbers. The ad said she was looking for a family interested in a house exchange in which the family could live in her house while she stayed in theirs or an apartment to rent for a month. This is much less expensive and more convenient than staying in a hotel. You can also travel with other parents and share a suite to cut room costs in half.

  • Ronald McDonald House Charities, 1 Kroc Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60523, Ronald McDonald House Charities provides comfort and care to children and their families by supporting Ronald McDonald Houses in communities around the world and by making grants to other not-for-profit organizations whose programs help children in need. Children requiring medical treatment away from home and their families, can stay at the Ronald McDonald Houses at a nominal daily fee. Ronald McDonald House Charities has a network of over 150 Local Charities serving in 27 countries.

  • National Association of Hospitality Houses (NAHHH), 4915 Auburn Ave #303, Bethesda, MD 20814-2636 800-542-9730 317-288-3226 NAHHH provides a home-like environment to individuals who are getting medical services away from home. They help provide a "place to stay" for the patient and/or families. They help people find organizations such as Ronald McDonald Houses, American Cancer Society's Hope Lodges, Fisher Houses as well as grassroots programs run by churches or volunteer groups. They have a directory of places which is published annually.

  • Children's Disability Relief Fund , 402 Pennsylvania Avenue, Freeport, New York 11520 516-377-1605; 516-377-3978 (Fax ) The mission of the Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF) is to promote the growth and development of children, ages 0 - 18, with disabilities, increase public awareness, and support efforts that strengthen compliance with state and federal laws for the benefit of children with disabilities. DCRF provides disabled children with equipment, such as; wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, electronic light amplifiers, orthopedic braces, walkers, stairclimber aids, hearing aids, exercise machines for children with paraplegia or quadreplegia, prostheses, and rehab services such as; surgery, physical therapy, throughout the United States. In light of the growing cost of health insurance and the large number of families with little or no coverage, DCRF focuses special attention on helping children that do not have health insurance, especially the physically disabled. Applicants should not submit more than one application per year.

    Other Wonderful Organizations That Really Use the Money They Raise To Help Our Children

    GET FREE AIRLINE FLIGHTS
    Airlines have been helping families going for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments and other medical treatments:

  • Miracle Flights for Kids , 800-FLY-1711, 2756 N. Green Valley Parkway Suite #115 Green Valley, Nevada 89014-2100 Volunteer pilots flying children to hospitals across the country for specialized medical care. NO limit to flight requests and NO CHARGE for services!!

  • Airlife Line, AirLifeLine National Office, 50 Fullerton Court, Suite 20, Sacramento, CA 95825, 877-AIRLIFE (toll free) 916- 641-7800, 916- 641-0600(fax) staff@airlifeline.org Web: http://www.airlifeline.org AirLifeLine is a national non-profit charitable organization of over 1,000 private pilots who fly ambulatory patients who cannot afford the cost of travel to medical facilities for diagnosis and treatment. Pilots donate their time, aircraft and fuel to make this air transportation service totally free of charge for patients who qualify.

  • National Patient Air Transport Hotline 800-296-1217 This service will help people find free or reduced rates for air travel for medical purposes. NPATH refers families to the service that best fits their needs and situation using updated directories and information on all known patient long-distance air transport options.

  • Hope Air (formerly Mission Air), Procter & Gamble Bldg., 4711 Yonge St., North York, Ontario M2N 6K8 Canada, 877-346-HOPE (4673) 416-222-6335 www.hopeair.org Hope Air's mission is to fly people from Canada to medical facilities outside of their community. It is targeted to help families with a financial need, with an appointment. $25 fee. The World Life Foundation, P O Box 571, Bedford, Texas, 76095 800-289-5433 817-282-1405 817-285-0216 (fax) Helps parents who need travel assistance for emergency medical conditions and pays for car rentals. No income guidelines.

    WISH ORGANIZATIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS

    The following groups fulfill wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses such as; Muscular Dystrophy, Metabolic Disorders, Progressive Disorders, Severe Uncontrolled Seizures, etc. The child must be 4 years old and chooses their own wish: a trip to Disney, a visit with a movie star, a computer, a trip to visit grandparents, etc.

  • Give the Kids the World, Foundation for Hospice and Homecare, 513 C Street NE, Washington DC 20002 202-547-6586, 202-546-8968(fax) Give the Kids the World is an international organization which has as its goal to assure that every child who has a terminal illness and wants to visit the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida is given the opportunity. This program provides a six-day, cost free vacation for terminally-ill children. Give Kids The World Village which houses the children and their families, is a magical place built on 35 acres and designed with the needs of these children in mind. Each of the 56 villas were designed to be kid scale. The swimming pool has a wheelchair ramp, meals are served in a gingerbread house, there's a pond stocked with fish, and a pirate ship for climbing. The newest addition is the Castle of Miracles, complete with a handmade carousel, snoring tree and video games galore. Give the Kids The World works with over 240 wish-granting foundations around the world to fulfill the last wish of 4000 children each year. National Association of Hospitality Houses (NAHHH), 4915 Auburn Ave #303, Bethesda, MD 20814-2636 800-542-9730 317-288-3226 NAHHH provides a home-like environment to individuals who are getting medical services away from home. They help provide a "place to stay" for the patient and/or families. They help people find organizations such as Ronald McDonald Houses, American Cancer Society's Hope Lodges, Fisher Houses as well as grassroots programs run by churches or volunteer groups. They have a directory of places which is published annually.

  • Brass Ring Society, 500 Macaw Ln, #5, Fern Park, FL 32730 800-666-9474 (voice) 407-339-6369 (fax)Email: brassring@brassring.org http://www.brassring.org/brassring Newsletters

  • Children's Hopes and Dreams Foundation, 280 Rt 46, Dover, New Jersey 07801 210-361-7366 201-361-6627 (fax) Ages 4-17 years. Also provides a worldwide pen pal program for children with disabilities or illnesses. Newsletters ,Networking with other families.

  • Children's Wish Foundation International, 7840 Rosewell Rd, Ste 301, Atlanta, Georgia 30350 800-323-9474 770-393-9474 770-393-0683(fax) Provides emergency financial aid for medical expenses. Newsletter, Informational materials, National conferences.

  • Grant A Wish Foundation, PO Box 21211, Baltimore, MD 21228 800-933-5470 410-242-1549 410-242-8818 (fax), Email:grantawish@aol.com Provides on-going program aimed at reducing stress and anxiety in the lives of children being treated for life-threatening illnesses. Programs include support groups, wilderness retreats, in-hospital entertainment, and granting of wishes. Newsletter,

  • Lisa Madonna Memorial Fund, 409 Beloit, Forest Park, IL 60130 708-366-2057 708-366-2065 (fax) Email:Immf@aol.com Fulfills wishes for young people, ages 18-25, with cancer. Newsletter, Informational Materials, Networking with other families, Referrals to local resources.

  • Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, 100 W Clarendon, Ste 2200, Phoenix, Arizona 85013-3518 800-722-9474 602-279-9474 602-279-0855 (fax) Informational materials, National conferences, Referrals to local resources

  • Sunshine Foundation, 2001 Bridge St, Philadelphia, PA 19124 800-767-1976, 215-535-1413, 215-535-8397 (fax) Children ages 3-21 with disabilities or life-threatening chronic illnesses. Informational materials, Matching with other families,

  • The Children's Wish Foundation, 1735 Bayly St, Ste 8C, Pickering, Ontario, Canada L1W 3G7, 800-267-9474 905-420-4055, 905-831-9733 (fax) Fulfills wishes for Canadian children, ages 3-18, with life-threatening illnesses. newsletter,.

  • The Dream Factory, 315 Guthrie Gr, Louisville, KY 40202-800-456-7556 502-584-3928 502-584-0023 (fax) Informational materials, National conferences .

    MUMS Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Packet of Information
    For our packet of over 310 pages of information on Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy from all over the world (research, studies, stories, articles, etc.) Please send $25 if in U.S. ($35 for other countries) to: MUMS, 150 Custer Ct., Green Bay, WI 54301-1243 (Mastercard & Visa numbers accepted. Numbers can be safely left on MUMS answering machine.)

    MUMS: National Parent to Parent Network
    Julie J. Gordon
    150 Custer Court
    Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301-1243
    1-877-336-5333 (Parents only please)
    920-336-5333
    1-920-339-0995 (fax)
    E-mail: mums@netnet.net
    Web: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

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    Last updated May 20, 2003 mums@netnet.net