There are close to 50 million men, women and children nationwide who are uninsured. Unfortunately, both Florida and specifically, the Central Florida area, have a much higher rate of uninsured residents than is found in other parts of the country. In fact, some studies estimate that one in four Central Florida residents are living without health insurance, and subsequently, without adequate health care.

The majority of uninsured Central Floridians are people who live on very low incomes and are struggling to make ends meet. More than 75% of people who are uninsured come from working families. These are families who are working in low wage jobs, many of which support our tourism economy. Sadly, these hard working individuals are forced to choose between paying rent, buying food and going to the doctor when they are sick. For these families, health care has become a luxury they simply cannot afford.

It’s probably hard for most of us to imagine being sick and having nowhere to turn because we cannot afford a doctor’s visit, medical tests or medicines. Many experience serious complications because they have gone weeks, months or even years without medical treatment. These are the people who come to Shepherd’s Hope.

We live in a caring community where many people and organizations are partnering with Shepherd’s Hope to bring medical care to those in need. Our inter-faith community is the primary resource for volunteer doctors, nurses and general office volunteers. Area hospitals generously donate laboratory and radiology services to patients referred from Shepherd’s Hope, and many public and private schools and organizations provide health care facilities free of charge.

Although we are fortunate to have so many caring and generous partners, Shepherd’s Hope needs your help so that our patients, who are low income and uninsured, can receive the medical care they need and deserve. Although all medical care is provided completely by volunteers, there are still costs associated with delivering free care that include medical supplies, pharmacy medicines, volunteer training and recruitment, bio-hazardous waste removal and evening security services, just to name a few.

Every $60 donation to Shepherd’s Hope provides a free medical visit for a man, woman or child, including diagnostic tests and medicines.

All donations to Shepherd’s Hope are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to Shepherd’s Hope, Inc.

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A copy of Shepherds Hope, Inc. official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Florida Division of Consumer Services by calling 1.800.435.7352 within Florida or 1.904.488.2221. Registration does not imply endorsement approval or recommendation by the State of Florida.