The Kolbe Fund was started by Kate and Aaron Schnittman, the parents of Maximilian (Max) Kolbe Schnittman. Max was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February 2011. Together as a family they journeyed to seek the medical team that would make Max healthy again. Their travels, long days and nights in a hospital, and two surgeries later they became acutely aware of the challenges families face while seeking treatment for their ill child. With the support of family and friends, the Schnittman family was given funds to help with their personal financial needs, but in true Schnittman fashion they began to think of others instead of their own struggles….this is how the Kolbe Fund started, as a dream and now a reality.
IT WORKS LIKE THIS
The Kolbe Fund “Hopeful Nights” program provides support and necessary lodging for financially struggling families traveling on the road to health. They have formed partnerships with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House and the Sheraton University City. Every month, The Kolbe Fund provides lodging, food and parking for 15 to 20 financially struggling families as they care for their sick child. The Kolbe Fund covers approximately 100 nights of lodging each month when the Ronald McDonald House is full.
To sustain the “Hopeful Nights” program, The Kolbe Fund is in the process of raising $180,000. In addition to soliciting grants from local foundations they are in the midst of planning their very first Fundraiser. The Kolbe KICK OFF Event will hopefully raise enough money to cover more than 1200 nights of lodging, food and necessary needs for families with sick children that are seeking medical care at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Join @thekolbefund 4 their KICK OFF Event at @CaseysDH. Help families traveling w/ sick a child. http://t.co/lwx6KHu3HG #KolbeHopefulNights
— Sarah Hughes (@Finnegan_Hughes) April 3, 2014
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— Sarah Hughes (@Finnegan_Hughes) April 3, 2014
That’s great, because I bet there are so many other costs associated with illness other than just the medical ones.
I’ve seen families go through terrible times when their children are seriously ill. Lodging, food and parking is so helpful because they can all be very expensive. I applaud their work.