BBS Relief & Coronavirus Assistance
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The Relief Committee continues to receive a steady flow of applications requesting financial assistance from the Benevolent Society. Recent requests are from individuals who face unexpected medical diagnoses, single mothers making ends meet, contract workers still trying to overcome challenges caused by the pandemic, and senior Brits struggling to pay for desperately needed medical equipment.
We remain in contact with a Brit who has had a tremendously difficult several months. He suffers from a very rare autoimmune condition and is receiving chemotherapy treatment. Just a little over a year ago he was an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. After a lengthy diagnosis process coupled with an inability to work, he struggled to pay rent, buy food and manage day to day activities. This is a particularly heartbreaking case because terminal illness can lead to financial devastation and unforgiving personal hardships. The BBS has been able to provide a lifeline for this recipient with compassionate financial assistance.
Another case involved a British family who traveled to LA to participate in a clinical trial for their 12 year old son who has a brain tumor. The journey to the US was particularly difficult for the child and sadly he was unable to participate in the trial because of brain swelling. The family was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to not participating in the trial and return to be with loved ones in the UK. His health declined so quickly that the outlook became bleak. The BBS provided financial assistance to help with some of the unexpected medical expenses incurred while in LA.
We also received a request for repatriation from a Brit who could no longer afford to wait for his Green Card. After more than 9 months without work, it became impossible to support himself and he asked the BBS for assistance in returning to the UK.
The pandemic continues to cause financial stress on many who rely on short term contract work. One of our recent applicants, Sara, received a huge setback when she was hired for a voiceover job but the company canceled the contract and paid her a fraction of one month’s salary. The BBS provided her with a $1,500 Covid19 Grant which she will use to make rent.
Thank you for your donations, support and memberships, which all help the BBS to provide financial assistance to Brits in need. |