Children grow up envisioning what they will do and who they will be when they are older. The children we help are no different.
Nolan is a 17 year-old with aspirations of studying business in college. He loves baseball and being with his friends. During the summer before his senior year in high school, Nolan was paralyzed after sustaining a devastating spinal injury in a diving accident. His family knew it would be a long, expensive road to recovery. Through a grant, First Hand provided funding for Nolan’s inpatient rehabilitation therapy, giving him access to care he otherwise may not have received. Thanks to the care he received, Nolan is making strides in his recovery, gaining trunk strength and is now able to use a manual wheelchair. Soon, Nolan can attend classes and work toward his dreams.
Katelyn loves animals. At 14, she has been diagnosed with several gastrointestinal diagnoses that required many doctor’s appointments, follow-up visits and medications. First Hand funded the cost of medication, medical supplies, nutrition supplements and travel expenses, ensuring Katelyn receives all the care she requires. She dreams about one day working in conservation and wildlife rehabilitation.
18-year-old Boi wants to be a doctor. Boi lived in a village in Mali, Africa with a life-threatening facial tumor. Through First Hand grants, he received a series of life-saving surgeries to remove the tumor and reconstruct his jaw, eyelid and nose. Due to his experiences before and after his surgeries, he now envisions himself as a surgeon saving the lives of children around the world.
These are just a few of the more than 475,000 lives changed by First Hand initiatives. Their dreams can become reality thanks to the generosity of First Hand donors. With your help, Nathan can attend business classes; Katelyn can save animals; and Boi can change lives as a surgeon.
Learn more about our case grant program and the life-changing funding approved each month by our Clinical Decision Committee.
Watch their stories here.
6/6/2022
Cerner Charitable Foundation understands that healthy students make better learners. However, life circumstances can ultimately keep children from accessing essential healthcare and developing their full health potential. Through our school health and wellness programs, we strive to close the gaps in care.
