A Caregiver Population Overlooked
An overlooked population of caregivers gets highlighted this November during the myHERO campaign: the caregivers of terminally-ill children, the heroes who these children turn to for comfort and protection when battling terminal illness.
November is National Family Caregiver’s Month, but the terminally-ill children’s caregivers-parents and close relatives-are not often recognized for the care and comfort they provide.
The recent two billion dollar health care cuts in hospitals and clinics across California alone had a dramatic effect on safety net programs that provide relief to these caregivers. As a result, millions of California children and their primarily single parent caregivers are facing even greater problems affording the health care they need. It is not surprising that their cries to the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation for monetary assistance have quadrupled since April 2009.
Nearly 70% of the households aided by Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation are headed by single mother caregivers. ”This invisible community has few emotional or financial resources, and little to no support,” observes Valerie Sobel, Founder.
