Impact

2025 Grant Recipient:

“I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2024 after complaining to my doctor of neck pain, drastic weight loss, hair loss and frequent illnesses for over a year. Very quickly, I required a total thyroidectomy surgery […]. I returned to work after three weeks because time off as a single mother was not an option. Every 3 months since my surgery, I need neck ultrasounds and cancer antibody tests due to multiple enlarged lymph nodes. I am waiting for the day I hear my doctor wants me to do Radiation Iodine. Through all of this, I must keep a brave face for [my 8-year-old son] and show him that I am okay, and we are okay, but inside, the financial stress and worry on top of worrying for my health has been slowly crushing me.

I confided in a close friend about the medical debt piling up from the surgery, scans, and appointments, who connected me with [Orchid Endowment Fund…]. I am not used to good things happening to me, so this did not feel real. I must have asked five times if this was real/legitimate. Real it was indeed, because exactly a year after my diagnosis, I received the grant to cover my medical bills. I couldn’t, and still partially can’t, believe this amazing act of kindness happened to me.

I will never be able to thank Orchid Endowment Fund enough for this. I felt like I was drowning right before we had gotten in touch, and now I can get my head back above water. I will forever remember this blessing[…].”

— 2025 OEF Grant Recipient

2024 Grant Recipient:

I am a single mother of two precious boys (ages 15 & 10) that I’m so blessed to have in my corner.

In August 2022, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Shortly after I started radiation and chemotherapy, I endured some complications which lead to a right mastectomy and the removal of four lymph nodes. After chemotherapy, I started to have severe bone pain, and the results of a bone scan revealed that I had amyloid bone cancer. I am currently undergoing immunotherapy and preparing for another bone scan to determine which transplant will be required.

During this journey, I haven’t been able to work and am […] living off what I have. I still have much more ahead of me, such as getting ready for a transplant and maintenance afterwards.

I feel so blessed to receive [this support] from Orchid Endowment Fund. I thought it was too good to be true, because where I’m at right now I need the support for myself and my boys so that I can complete the treatments and surgeries which are going to be required. Orchid Endowment Fund has been a true blessing for my family, and I thank you.

— 2023 OEF Recipient

2023 Grant Recipient:

“I was diagnosed with […] cancer the same month my mom found out her cancer came back after 3 years.  We live under the same roof so you can imagine the craziness of doctor appointments, treatments, scans, […] and the list goes on.  I am self-employed as a painter, and [my mother, daughter, and I] depend on each other not only for moral support but also financially. When I was unable to work, the bills kept coming but the money did not!

We were ok for a little while but money set aside for a rainy day only lasts for so long.  I was going to at least three or more doctor appointments a week, then came surgery with an eight week down time, [another surgery, ] eight more weeks down, then came radiation five days a week for five weeks… It seems like its never going to end! 

Money was getting so low and [with every day came] more stress worrying about where money was going to come from for all of the mounting bills and all of the now growing medical bills. I received a message from Chase from the Orchid Endowment Fund, and it almost seemed too good to be true. Someone was helping…not only financially, but I could really tell he cared and was compassionate about this foundation for mothers battling cancer.  I want to thank anyone who had a part with choosing me for the support I was given. One day I hope I will be able to give back so another person can be helped like I was.”

— 2023 OEF Recipient

2022 Grant Recipient, a single mother of two:

“I went in for my regular mammogram in March.  I was rushed back in for ultra sound, breast MRI and then a breast MRI guided biopsy.  The results were lobular carcinoma.  They had to further examine the tissue to inform me I had cancer. 

At the time I was notified I just started a new job and I was not prepared for such a life changing event.  At 43 years of age I would have never thought cancer would have been a topic for my life.  The emotional aspect of my diagnosis has been the most challenging for me.  I accepted my decision for the double mastectomy wholeheartedly but waking up to not having breast was traumatic to say the least.  I am grateful for life but I am still a woman at the end of the day.

Having breasts is a huge part of womanhood. I choose to live life with no regrets and I know there is a reason for everything.  I am still reinventing myself, healing, processing, embracing life and evolving.  Every moment of my day is not great but I find a reason to smile.

As a single parent it is extremely difficult to have a large savings when living from paycheck to paycheck. The medical bills continue to grow along with the regular bills […] The generous assistance from Orchid Endowment Fund provided me with an end to an ongoing matter. I am humbly grateful for this program because to know that someone understands the financial strain that is placed on breast cancer patients and to create a program to assist families during a challenging time of their lives means so much.

On behalf of my family and I, we want to thank this foundation for providing a generous financial support to allow me time to heal without stressing over finances.”

–2022 OEF Recipient

To continue to benefit more families like the ones above, please consider the below options.