I am a college graduate living on my own. I currently work in non-profit journalism and recently moved home to be with my family when my mom's cancer came back and she eventually passed away from the disease. After losing my mom, I became very ill and the doctors were unable to figure out why I was so sick. I was eventually diagnosed with a chronic disease I will have for the rest of my life. After my diagnosis, I was sent immediately to the hospital, where I spent 15 days receiving treatment. I make just enough to cover my basic bills and had been living just fine until these unexpected medical costs happened. I took off a lot of time from work during my mom's time in hospice to care for her and then following her death as I dealt with immense grief. The week I was planning to go back to work full-time I became very sick and was hospitalized. I am finally back to work full-time, feeling so much better and have found ways to cope with my grief. The medical bills I am now facing are very overwhelming and a severe stress as I try to form a normal life again. I will need a lot of medications and IV infusions for the rest of my life and it would be so helpful to leave these bills behind and start fresh in 2014 so I can manage my medical costs. I currently have more than $2,000 in medical debt and $8,000 in credit card debt from the last year. This year has been the hardest of my life. I would be so grateful for the help as I have often felt so alone dealing with this disease and losing my mom. Just knowing there are people out there who care means more than I can express.

In May, I took my first long drive on my own. It'd be a three hour trip to the closest city to visit my friend who was graduating. Little did I know that I wouldn't make it to the graduation. 27 minutes from my destination, the front left tire of my vehicle just busted, making me lose control completely and crash against the median divider. I was cruising on the highway at 70 mph and after I crashed my cruise control did not turn off, so I kept going, disoriented, for about 30 yards or so, until my brain got a hold of itself. I distinctly remember telling myself "find the break" before attempting to stop my vehicle from continuing on crashing against the median divider. My insurance agent had told me that since my car was not particularly new that it was not worth my money to get comprehensive insurance, which meant I had a huge bill that I had to pay out of pocket just to leave my car in driveable condition. I live in a place where it snows, a lot, and I would like to be able to get my vehicle completely fixed before the bad weather starts which should be around October. Any kind soul willing to help me out there? I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!!!

I am 49 years old and live on $710 a month in SSI--I became ill before I had paid the “full amount” into Social Security and so cannot collect Social Security Disability. I’ve managed to live on it for some time--sparsely, but adequately. I take pride in being able to live on so little--have no debts or outstanding bills. Due to recent changes in healthcare laws, however, I have lost the portion of my medical coverage which covers the cost of prescription drugs. My medications, which keep my chronic condition partially in check, cost nearly $600 per month (one of them, Lamictal, is $7.68 per pill!). Since January I have had to pay for them in cash or make other arrangements. Until now, I have been able to get my medications through patient assistance programs, samples provided by my doctors, and discounts offered by a very helpful pharmacy. I also received one month’s supply of medication through an area hospital’s “patient emergency fund”, which was a one-time only program. But I have now exhausted all of the resources available in my rural area. Until January of next year, when “Obamacare” begins to take effect, I must find a way to pay for my medications (even then, I do not know if prescription medication coverage will come back into effect). So right now I can buy my medications--or buy food. I can buy my medications--or pay my rent. I can buy my medications--and perhaps have enough left over to pay the utility bills. My needs are small. I live in a one-bedroom apartment, neither drink nor smoke nor use illicit drugs. I rely on friends for transportation--no bus or public transit here. It has always been difficult for me to ask for help, even from friends. Just asking for a ride seems like a major imposition to me and here I am about to ask for money from strangers. Forgive me--I feel that I have no other choice. I have said that my medications cost $600 per month. I believe that if I can come up with $500 per month I should be able to make it as I hope to be able to get a few samples and discounts in the coming year. Right now, however, I have nothing. Just a terrible looming expense on May 1st. Any help at all will be appreciated beyond words. You will be helping me to stay healthy. May God bless you for that.

I was born in Brasil but because of my disability, I was adopted by a family who already had 16 kids but never forgot my family in Brasil. I haven't seen them since 1989, but have been in contact for past 3yrs. I've tried many things, family, friends, churches and i've received $100 in 3yrs. Not asking for much, even if it's 1 cent, I'll take it. Anything to see my mom one last time

I never thought I would do something like this, but I am in dyer need right now. I am a full time student with two part time jobs. I am barely getting by. Sometimes I don't even have enough money to eat on a daily basis. I have just recently been diagnosed with bone cancer and found out my insurance company won't pay for my chemotherapy! I don't know how I'm going to make it. Please donate anything you can. Thank you and God Bless!