#40andforward: Consistency & Change (Weeks 16-20)

We’re looking back at 40 of the most significant moments in Help Hope Live’s history to celebrate our nonprofit’s 40 years of trusted medical fundraising.

Join us for #40andforward – share your own Help Hope Live memory with us on social, or pledge your “$40 for 40” to support our General Operating Fund today:

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Catch up on the moments you missed! Find recaps here for Weeks 1-15.

A graphic reads 40 and Forward: Donate Now to Fight Back Against Medical Debt. Two images show Help Hope Live clients. The first is a black-and-white image of a couple touching foreheads. Both have light skin and dark hair. The man in the photo has a dark goatee. The woman’s hair is in waves down her back. The second image shows a patient with brown skin lying in a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown and a blue hospital cap. She is surrounded by supporters with light and dark skin. Everyone in the photo is making a heart sign with their hands and smiling.

Over the decades, our mission expanded as the overwhelming burden of medical debt on patients across the country grew.

Today, medical debt is a known source of financial toxicity in the lives of individuals living with a transplant need, a life-changing injury, or a chronic illness diagnosis.

41% of adult patients in America are currently experiencing medical debt.

80% of those patients have delayed medical care over concerns about the cost.

20% of those patients don’t ever expect to pay off their remaining balance, meaning medical debt has now become a constant fixture in their lives.

40 and forward, Week 17/40, topic: The rise and fall of medical debt. This slide features three Help Hope Live clients. From left to right: Cayla, 33, muscular dystrophy. Cayla is in a wheelchair sitting outside. Adrian, 7, spinal muscular atrophy. Adrian is sitting upright in a hospital gown and playing with toy dinosaurs. Ana Maria, 28, liver transplant. Ana is laying in a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown.

Medical debt doesn’t discriminate.

Every year, more American patients find themselves forced to fundraise due to uncovered medical costs. For 40 years, we’ve ensured that they never have to do it alone.

P.S. – Notice a change? New era, new look. We’re transitioning to this beautiful new teal-centric imagery to showcase the clients we work with for our remaining #40andforward graphics.

Andrew, 13, Muscular Dystrophy. Andrew is seated in his wheelchair on the right. He has light-colored skin, a cast on his right leg, and is wearing a dark-colored shirt and shorts. The woman to his left who has light colored hair, is wearing glasses, and a shirt that says

We couldn’t sit by and watch medical crises become financial crises.

As the years passed, we committed to expanding our coverage. Today, patients with hundreds of different diagnoses qualify to access our trusted medical fundraising support.

More diagnoses. More resources. More help. More hope.

ALT TEXT: Week 19/40 Expanding the costs we cover 40 and forward #40andforward Aaron, kidney transplant: Aaron is sitting down. He is wearing a cap, a black, long sleeve coat. He has dark-colored skin and facial hair. He is sitting next to a young girl, who has her head on his left shoulder. She has braided, dark-colored hair and is smiling. Cynthia, muscular dystrophy. Cynthia is sitting in her wheelchair, outside. she has dark-colored hair and has a tshirt on and has a princess blanket covering her legs. There is a dog behind her. Chelsea, spinal cord injury. Chelsea is sitting in her wheel chair. She has long, light-colored hair and is wearing a cap that says

As medical technology moves forward, coverage can lag behind. Patients can fall in the gap between what insurance covers and what could change their lives.

Our guidelines have expanded over the decades to cover more medical AND related expenses than ever, from robotic exoskeletons to cutting-edge therapies to travel for treatment.

We keep pushing our mission forward so our clients can do the same.

William, 14, Spina Bifida William is sitting in his wheel chair. He has short, dark-colored hair and dark-colored skin. He is where a t-shirt and dark colored pants. His arms are folded. He is surrounded by three other gentlemen. Jeffery, 55, Liver transplant. Jeffery is standing on the right near trees. He has short, dark-colored hair and light-colored skin. He is wearing a dark-colored shirt and vest. There is a woman on his left, with long, light-colored hair. Marquita, 37, kidney transplant. Marquita has dark-colored, curly hair that falls to her shoulders. She has dark-colored skin and is wearing a bright colored, long sleeve blouse and a necklace.

Life-changing treatment and technology should never be out-of-reach due to their out-of-pocket cost. Asset-based benefits and insurance coverage can fluctuate. Community support doesn’t have to.

We have been a fundraising haven for 40 years.

We’re not stopping until the need for fundraising stops, too.

While health care, benefits, and insurance systems have changed since 1983, one fact has remained the same: for many patients, accessing life-saving medical care means taking on life-changing medical debt.

For four decades, our nonprofit has had the opportunity to stand between thousands of patients and this overwhelming burden. By enabling trusted community-based support, we renew hope.

No patient should be forced to fundraise—but they are.

We shouldn’t exist—but we have to.

Until every medical bill is paid. Until no family feels alone and overwhelmed by medical debt. Until every patient can consistently access the care and equipment they need to heal, live, and thrive.

We post these weekly moments on our socials so you can engage with our mission, share your own Help Hope Live memories, and showcase our mission to your own community. Follow along – follow us now!

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Missed a moment? We post recaps like this one on our Latest every month.

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Written by Emily Progin