The Stories We Create

Last year Variety Care treated 22,000 uninsured patients - and out of that 22,000, federal funding only covered about 7,000 of them. In order to bridge that gap, Variety Care relies on grants and fundraising. Executive Director of Community Services Carol Martin explains the important role patient stories play in that process. “The story of one person touches people’s hearts and gives them a picture of the impact of their donations versus number of people served,” Martin says. “An impactful patient story can show how vital donations are much better than data.” uninsured children who are physically disabled, to provide dental to pregnant women, and to support nutrition, immunizations, and mammograms,” she notes.

An Impactful Patient Story Can Show How Vital Donations Are

She stresses that the input of staff at all levels is critical to our ability to convey Variety Care’s message. “Everyone at Variety Care can help by keeping an eye out for patient stories,” Martin says. She also asks that if anyone learns of a possible grant, they email her at cmartin@varietycare.org.

-Carol Martin

If you know of any patient stories you’d like to share, contact us at communications@varietycare.org.

Each year the Variety Care Foundation holds a fundraising event that highlights the success stories we all have a hand in creating and designates a program to best utilize those funds. Last year, donations from the event went to the patient assistance program, which provides help to low-income patients who cannot afford the services they need.

Martin says the grant funds we receive are used in our medical, behavioral health, dental, optometry, and social services departments. “We receive grants to help