Grandma Luisa's Gift
Donation protected
My name is Esmeralda Blanco and I started a cause to donate food bags to senior patients on dialysis. My motivation for this is my grandmother, Marialuisa Ramirez, who attended dialysis two years before her death a year ago. During these two years, I saw the necessity most dialysis patients have, especially the older population. My grandmother was blessed to have had everything she needed: food during
dialysis, a blanket, a bag to carry her stuff, snacks, someone there with her, transportation, someone to assist her at home and with errands, and most importantly an overwhelming amount of love and support. Going there, I realized that most patients do not have this and I cannot imagine the fear they must feel during this pandemic, especially to go out and get their groceries. At the beginning of the pandemic, I created a post on Facebook about my cause and many people were eager to donate groceries. I collected enough for about 150 food bags and I donated them to a dialysis center in South Los Angeles. The
patients were extremely happy, almost crying because the majority of patients in this center come from very low-income households. Although there are many food organizations that cater to the seniors, I feel many senior dialysis patients are overlooked at. During the time my grandmother was in dialysis, she
was not able to go out and get groceries due to the fear of getting an infection in her dialysis port. My grandmother was blessed to have had someone to go to the market to get her food but like mentioned, most patients especially those who are older do not have a lot of support. This is why I would really like
to continue taking food bags and this is where I ask for your help. I do not have a 501(c)(3) status, but I am currently working on it. With the money collected I can start the non profit and still provide grocery bags and reach more dialysis centers to not only provide grocery bags but also transportation, blankets, gift cards etc to more patients. I would like for you guys to please share my page and donate that way I can continue doing this. Currently, we deliver about 90 bags a week (the YMCA-Weignart sponsors my cause). Again, thank
you.
dialysis, a blanket, a bag to carry her stuff, snacks, someone there with her, transportation, someone to assist her at home and with errands, and most importantly an overwhelming amount of love and support. Going there, I realized that most patients do not have this and I cannot imagine the fear they must feel during this pandemic, especially to go out and get their groceries. At the beginning of the pandemic, I created a post on Facebook about my cause and many people were eager to donate groceries. I collected enough for about 150 food bags and I donated them to a dialysis center in South Los Angeles. The
patients were extremely happy, almost crying because the majority of patients in this center come from very low-income households. Although there are many food organizations that cater to the seniors, I feel many senior dialysis patients are overlooked at. During the time my grandmother was in dialysis, she
was not able to go out and get groceries due to the fear of getting an infection in her dialysis port. My grandmother was blessed to have had someone to go to the market to get her food but like mentioned, most patients especially those who are older do not have a lot of support. This is why I would really like
to continue taking food bags and this is where I ask for your help. I do not have a 501(c)(3) status, but I am currently working on it. With the money collected I can start the non profit and still provide grocery bags and reach more dialysis centers to not only provide grocery bags but also transportation, blankets, gift cards etc to more patients. I would like for you guys to please share my page and donate that way I can continue doing this. Currently, we deliver about 90 bags a week (the YMCA-Weignart sponsors my cause). Again, thank
you.
Organizer
Esmeralda Blanco
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA