THE ERIC NICOLIN APPLEN FUND
MAKES A DIFFERENCE

·        A young boy has been a patient at FUMC since 1992 when he was diagnosed with Leukemia.  He has had several relapses and has had a bone marrow transplant.  The family has an older home in Saint Paul.  Living on a fixed income and receiving medical assistance and food stamps, they couldn’t afford some needed window repairs.  The Applen Fund made a difference.

·        Another patient needed help to cover the co-pays for DAILY physical therapy to maximize functioning after her chemotherapy and surgery.  Single mom needed to reduce her hours at work due to care needs of child.  She has private insurance and is not eligible for medical assistance or TEFRA.  This family would have fallen through the cracks.  The Applen Fund made a difference.

·        A 7-year-old boy was recently diagnosed with Leukemia and has been hospitalized at Fairview since January 18, 2005.  Is originally from N. Dakota.  He was discharged in February and has been staying at the Ronald McDonald House with his maternal grandparent.  His grandparents, who are his primary caregivers, came from the Rosebud Reservation to be with him during treatment.  They needed assistance with buying groceries so that they could cook for their family at the Ronald McDonald House.  The Applen Fund made a difference.

·        Many phone cards and meal vouchers were given as well as gas money for trips to and from the hospital.  In some cases, weekly and monthly parking passes were issued for those patients needing long-term care.  The Applen Fund made a difference.

·        Mother of a young cancer patient requested assistance with several bills she was unable to pay due to her daughter’s frequent hospitalizations and the birth of a child in April.  The Applen Fund made a difference.

·        One young patient and his family needed lodging during his stay.  A portion of the cost of a hotel room at the Days Inn was paid for to ease the burden of the low income family.  The Applen Fund made a difference.

·        Donation to Cancer teen to help fund a trip to Disney World. The Applen Fund made a difference.

·        Fund a trip to Valley Fair for a young man with Cancer. The Applen Fund made a difference.

·        Fund a wedding celebration for the sister and brother-in-law of a young man who was dying. Ceremony was performed in the hospital chapel. The Applen Fund made a difference.