According to a story from PR Newswire, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has just recently kicked off a COVID-19 Critical Relief Program. In alignment with its mission to provide critical support to rare disease patients and caregivers, the program is designed to provide essential aid to those of the rare disease community that have been directly impacted by the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
This program will provide direct financial aid to support essential needs of any kind, not just medical expenses. Jill Pollander, RN, MSN, who is the Director of Patient Services at NORD, had this to say in regards to the new initiative:
“The NORD COVID-19 Critical Relief Program enables us to provide desperately needed support to rare disease community members whose lives have been directly impacted by the current pandemic.”
The COVID-19 Critical Relief Program will provide up to $1,000 per year for qualifying patients. During this time of uncertainty and instability, millions of people in the US have been hit with sudden job losses or unexpected medical bills when a loved one or themselves become sick because of the virus. The pandemic is unlike anything that most people have seen in their lives.
Many Americans are living month to month and check to check, so disruptions to income or employment can mean that major problems are coming sooner, not later. Unfortunately, action from the federal government has been ineffectual and relief is not forthcoming. Therefore, it is up to committed nonprofit organizations like NORD to do their best to fill the gap and help people keep themselves afloat.
Interested in applying for aid? Reach out to NORD at 203-242-0497 or email to [email protected]. You can also apply at their website here.
If you are not in need of assistance or would otherwise like to support the program, you can donate to the fund here so that as many people as possible can get the help that they desperately need.
We are truly living in unusual and troubling times. As a rare disease community, we need to stick together and support the most vulnerable among us.
