People living paycheck to paycheck are aware that financial danger is looming. They move forward each day, tamping down the thoughts of “what if?” In 2022, 58-year-old Daniel* lost his job and found himself homeless, sleeping on different friends’ couches or in his car. Daniel’s “what if” became a reality.

Now, the combination of being homeless added to the complexity of Daniel’s long history of high blood pressure; he was no longer able to afford his blood pressure medication.

In September 2022, Daniel fell into the loving hands of Mission of Mercy Arizona (MOM), which assists people with difficulty accessing medical care. MOM says their product is love, and their vehicle is medicine.

Dr. Carie Barlow, a volunteer physician at a MOM clinic, said Daniel’s first blood pressure reading was 201/123, which is considered a medical crisis that can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening health problems. Dr. Barlow said they immediately started Daniel on antihypertensive drugs that controlled his blood pressure. Through the Target Blood Pressure Program, a collaborative effort with the American Heart Association, he received a free blood pressure monitor to help him track his condition.

“As we strive to lift someone in need of spiritual, emotional, or physical healing, we know that approaching that person with genuine love and compassion provides as much healing as the physical services we provide,” says Paula Carvalho, Executive Director, Mission of Mercy AZ

And because Daniel felt safe with his MOM doctor, he mentioned that he had had hepatitis C for more than a decade and tearfully asked if MOM could do anything to help him.

After confirming his condition with blood work provided in-kind by Sonora Quest Labs, he applied for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) but was denied. But that rejection didn’t mean it was the end of the road.

MOM doctors helped Daniel apply for patient assistance through Gilead Sciences, Inc., which makes the $60,000 drug treatment for hepatitis. When Daniel was approved, the medicine was shipped directly to the Mission of Mercy and dispensed at no cost.

After the two-month course, Daniel was retested with no trace of the infection in his blood, meaning he was cured of hepatitis C.

“When he came to the clinic for his test results and was told the good news, he cried uncontrollably,” said Dr. Barlow.

Although Daniel remains homeless, this burden has been lifted from his heart, and he can now continue working on the steps necessary to improve his life.

*The name Daniel is fictitious and used for this client’s confidentiality.

Because of generous donations from people like you, the Catholic Community Foundation passes your gifts to organizations like Mission of Mercy Arizona. Your donations support organizations with established systems in place to make a positive impact in the world.