“Back in 2007, I had one of the worst experiences of my life: a house fire that took away all of the personal things that I owned, but spared my oldest son’s life. He was at home at the time just trying to get in those last minutes of sleep before working the night shift. He was awaken by a loud pop coming from the kitchen to find it engulfed in flames.

We lost everything that we owned, which meant starting over from nothing. I did not have renter’s insurance at the time. If it did not burn, it was badly water damaged. My supervisor Andy Marsh called me the next day, telling me to reach out to the Benevolent Fund for help. I was familiar with what the Benevolent Fund had to offer to UAB employees. I never imagined that I would to need their assistance.

The Benevolent Fund also helped my sister who is now retired from UAB with 27 years of service when she was diagnosed with lupus and unable to work do to her sickness. Just knowing how they helped her, a single parent, I knew that once I started working for UAB there was no doubt in my mind I would give to the Benevolent Fund.

I am here with 20 years of service and I have been giving to this fund since 1996. I took Andy’s advice and contacted the benevolent fund that same day for help. I received a call from the representative with an appointment scheduled for the next day. I took in all the required documents and waited for a decision. I received a call to say that I will be receiving assistance and will have a check in about two days.

In April 2015, my family received some devastating news that my husband had rectal cancer that would require chemo and radiation. He would have to take the chemo medicine for 6 weeks and the medicine was quite expensive and required a copay in order to get it shipped to my house.

I reached out again to the Benevolent Fund for help. Not sure if they would help me a second time, but they did. I went into this appointment nervous and not knowing what to expect. The feeling I had knowing that we are dealing with a deadly disease, was a very emotional time for me. They came through for me again.

I was so grateful for the love and support I received from my UAB Family and the Benevolent Fund. The money allowed me to purchase for my family the immediate things needed during the fire and the medicine needed for my husband’s illness.

I am happy to say we are “Cancer Free.” It is such a heartfelt feeling that you have knowing that the UAB Benevolent Fund helped me through the most difficult time I have ever experienced and I am forever grateful.”