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Imagine simultaneously being diagnosed with bilateral
breast cancer and receiving an eviction notice from
your landlord.
This is just one of the true stories from the case
files of Nurses House, a New York-based charity that
has assisted nurses in need for the past 81 years.
Nurses House is a nonprofit organization that serves
as a guardian angel to nurses experiencing hardship.
Thousands of registered nurses in all 50 states have
received financial assistance since the charity was
founded in 1922.
The only national fund for registered nurses needing
assistance, Nurses House started with a bequest from
an admirer of nurses. Emily Bourne, who passed away
in 1922, left $300,000 in funds asking that a respite
facility be created for nurses experiencing hard times.
A house was purchased and renovated in the township
of Babylon, Long Island.
In 1960, because of steadily declining use and rising
costs, the Nurses House facility was sold, and it became
a service organization, helping nurses who needed financial
assistance due to injury, illness or disability.
"For many nurses, it's difficult to accumulate
the personal resources necessary to meet unexpected
and prolonged health and financial problems," said
Susan Fraley, MS, RN, executive director of Nurses House.
Last year, Nurses House received 700 requests for financial
assistance and provided funding to 127 nurses in need.
"Unfortunately, given the economic climate, we're
receiving more requests and fewer donations," Fraley
said.
All of the nurses who receive grants through Nurses
House are kept anonymous. But Fraley speaks in general
terms of nurses stricken with life-threatening illnesses,
others who have sustained severe injuries in auto accidents
and those fighting mental health and emotional problems.
"In the 1970s, we served a high percentage of
nurses battling substance abuse problems," Fraley
said. "Today, we're seeing an increase of nurses
with cancer, who require some financial assistance while
they undergo treatment."
The nonprofit relies on corporate and individual donations
in order to fulfill its mission.
"We have several medical centers across the country
who regularly hold fund-raisers for us," Fraley
said. "There's one hospital in New York that holds
a bake sale each year and donates proceeds to Nurses
House. This year it raised $1,700."
Nurses House provides nurses and hospital staff with
written models for hosting a modest fund-raiser at their
worksite. Speakers also are available to attend staff
meetings and can bring materials describing the history
and mission of Nurses House.
Nurses make 75 percent of all individual donations
received by Nurses House. Many donate in honor of a
friend's birthday or in memory of a loved one.
"We typically give individual grants to nurses
in the range of $1,000 to $4,000," said Aline Anderson,
development director for Nurses House. "We also
have an emergency fund where we can immediately grant
a recipient $500 if a nurse is facing eviction or experiencing
a delay with their SSI payments and other subsidies."
For many nurses, applying for a grant through Nurses
House is their only option.
"We've received calls from nurses living in their
cars," Fraley said. "Often, nurses have no
other resources, and we do whatever we can to get them
back on their feet."
In order to receive short-term financial assistance,
nurses must complete an application that is then reviewed
by a volunteer committee composed of nurses.
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