In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA), the philanthropic arm of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, awarded Dr. Brandi Warren of Thomasville, Ga. an Immediate Needs Grant to support fragile elderly patients in her area. Many of Dr. Warren’s patients are seniors and are not able to afford needed medications. Fortunately, Dr. Warren can negotiate reduced rates with her local independent pharmacy for medications, such as insulin. The $1,000 Immediate Needs Grant from GHFA will allow Dr. Warren to purchase critical, life-sustaining medication at or near cost and ensure that patients who have the greatest need will be able to access it.
Dr. Warren encourages all of us to be mindful of others during this ongoing crisis and to help where you can. “As a community we are uncertain of what lies ahead or how our daily lives will change in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dr. Warren. “Reaching out to our patients to say ‘I see you’ and ‘I care about you’ is so important, but to also be able to help by giving a vial of insulin or a case of Ensure can save a fragile patient’s life. Their blood sugar may normalize, their weight may stabilize, and they may step back from that dangerous ledge of depression they are teetering on from these small gifts,” she added.
To learn more about the 34 Immediate Needs Grants GHFA has awarded across the state or to make a donation to support future grants, please visit www.georgiahealthyfamilyalliance.org or email ksinkule@gafp.org.