Heather: Hope in action

Heather McKern, an oncology nurse at Piedmont Newton, encountered a patient battling breast cancer. The patient also faced financial strains after surgery and chemotherapy. The patient had taken an extensive leave from work to recover, but her time away had been unpaid. She wasn’t eligible for disability or Family Medical Leave Act benefits, and her household bills were beginning to pile up.

Heather exhausted every resource she knew of, but none could provide the immediate financial assistance the patient needed. That’s when Heather turned to Empowering You. With her patient's diagnosis in mind, she came across the Remembering Betty Foundation. The organization  is dedicated to supporting breast cancer patients with financial assistance for things like household bills and groceries.

Within a week of applying, the patient received a grocery gift card and a contribution toward her household bills. It wasn’t a complete fix, but it brought the patient immediate relief and a sense of hope.

Learn more about Piedmont's Empowering You program.