Claire's Place Foundation Receives Record Number of Calls for Financial Help from Cystic Fibrosis Patients Due to COVID-19

LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Claire's Place Foundation, a non-profit organization providing support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis (CF), has received an overwhelming number of financial requests from people living with CF since launching their COVID-19 Emergency Fund in late March. The fund provides immediate assistance to individuals with CF and their families with grocery cards, supplies and access to medications during the COVID-19 crisis.

"Currently, we have run out of funds and have a rapidly growing waiting list of applicants from families affected by CF," said Claire's Place Foundation Executive Director Melissa Yeager. "The CF community is the most vulnerable to COVID-19, it is likely a death sentence. Thus, as soon as COVID-19 landed in the U.S., long before government stay at home orders, the CF community had to quarantine themselves, resulting in loss of jobs for hundreds of families. In less than a month we have helped almost 300 individuals, giving $10,400 for daily essential needs. It breaks my heart that we no longer have funds to give. In this desperate time, we are looking for corporate donors to be our angels, to nourish and assist this often overlooked community."

"I'm grateful that Claire's Place Foundation has put forth such an effort to help our families during the COVID-19 pandemic," said PJ Alexander, LCSW, CCTP, BCD Mental Health Coordinator, Social Worker at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. "Several of the families that we serve had nowhere else to go. Parents have lost jobs which has limited the financial ability to purchase everything from cereal to copayments for medications. The Claire's Place COVID-19 Emergency Fund gave families, who are navigating these uncertain times with few resources, financial help to purchase essential items like groceries. Claire's Place does more than provide financial support, they restore hope to our CF patients and families. Thank you!!"

"Many individuals living with CF have been forced to quarantine for the majority of their lives due to common bacteria and viruses. Now, COVID-19 has left them with no options, and many with no work to pay medical bills and they are forced to be completely isolated," said Filmmaker and Actor Justin Baldoni. "When many of us will be given the green light to go back out, many with CF will have to take extra precautions or stay in until there is a cure. It would mean the world to me if you would support Claire's Place Foundation, they need our support now more than ever. Every dollar goes to support people living with CF."

To donate to the Claire's Place Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Fund please visit clairesplacec-19fund.funraise.org to help manage this current hardship. 100% of donations go directly to the fund.

About Claire's Place Foundation, Inc.
Claire's Place Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis (CF). Claire's Place Foundation is named in honor of Claire Wineland who lived with CF her entire life and passed away at the age of 21. Claire was an activist, author, TEDx Speaker, social media star and received numerous awards. Claire's foundation was a way for her to assure that others living with CF enjoyed the same hope, strength and joy that she enjoyed. Recipient of Los Angeles Business Journal's "Small Nonprofit of the Year," the foundation provides grants to families affected by CF, offering both emotional and financial support. Today, Claire's Place Foundation continues to carry on Claire's legacy. For more information and make a donation, please visit http://www.claire's place foundation.org.

SOURCE Claire's Place Foundation