Guardian Angel Program

ercy Medical has served nearly 1000 children through its Pediatric Home Care Program since 1998. The cost of treating a child has increased and so has the number of children in need. The Guardian Angel program was created to raise funds to help cover the ever increasing, non-reimbursible expenses Mercy incurs as it cares for children in their homes. We also want to generate awareness of how Mercy can help meet the healthcare needs of hundreds of children in Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Like many of Mercy Medical's healthcare programs, its Pediatric Home Care Program was born from an unmet need in the community and a desire to fill that need. Each year there are hundreds of children in Mobile and Baldwin counties who have been discharged from acute care hospitals, but still require ongoing medical care. Since 1998, our program has cared for children from birth to 17 that have diseases such as leukemia and cystic fibrosis, and severe conditions resulting from birth defects and injuries.

Mercy provides home care to any child no matter what the family's resources, but it's the child whose family has no health insurance or other means to pay for treatment that needs our help the most. With the funds raised from our Guardian Angel program, we can serve more children. In 1999, Mercy served 15 children through its Pediatric Home Care program. That number increased dramatically to 100 children served in 2000, and 217 served in 2001. Based on our research, with increased funding we could serve an estimated 300 children each year.

Cortney was diagnosed at age 2 with histocytosis, a form of leukemia that starts in the lungs and progresses to the bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes. Cortney's disease has progressed to her liver and spleen; however, her prognosis is good. When histocytosis is diagnosed at this early stage, it is curable. Cortney is going into remission again, though she is now starting a second round of chemotherapy. She is tolerating it well, and we hope she will be stabilized. Mercy Medical works closely with the USA Women's and Children's Hospital when Cortney requires acute inpatient care. Cortney's case is complicated by several non-medical factors. She and her five siblings live with their single mother. A member of Cortney's extended family helps to care for her and her siblings.

In support of Mercy Medical Pediatric Home Care

	Three hundred children in Mobile & Baldwin counties need quality medical home care.
	Mercy Medical has served more than 500 children in our Pediatric Home Care program since 1998.
	Mercy Medical is the only healthcare organization to provide Pediatric Home Care in our area.
	Mercy Medical needs funding to cover healthcare costs associated with Pediatric Home Care program.
	Mercy Medical established the Guardian Angel program to create awareness and raise funds.
	More than $545,000 is required for Mercy Medical to serve 300 children a year. The average yearly cost per child is $1,920.