Healthcare Hero Commuter Fund

For those of you that don't know me, my name is Alexandra Kaiser and I am a Physician Assistant at the Weill Cornell Medicine Multiple Myeloma Center.  My center cares for patients with blood cancer that are undergoing chemotherapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplants.

If you are financially comfortable or more than comfortable and are looking for a way to help healthcare heroes and essential workers, here is an opportunity. 

I stopped taking the subway almost 4 weeks ago.  On that last ride I was thankfully wearing a mask. My subway car was packed due to the MTA limiting service and a man grabbed me by the arm — coming within less than one foot from my face — and asked me for money.  And that was it; I haven’t been on the subway since. Some days I bike the 4 miles to and from work when the weather is nice enough and I have the energy. Occasionally I’ve gotten a ride from friends. Or some incredibly gracious friends  have “sponsored” a ride(s) for me via Venmo, PayPal, or Uber Gift Cards. But mostly I am paying for Ubers, Lyfts and cabs because that is a privilege that I can afford. I’m still pissed when I get price surged by Uber from time to time, but whatever. They are trying to make a buck, too. 

However, a large portion of the administrative staff, secretaries and medical technicians that I work with live much further than I do from Weill Cornell Medical Center — deep into Brooklyn and the Bronx. And they are riding the subway (sometimes 5 days a week) despite feeling unsafe and exposed because this is their only option at the moment. The hospital has provided a number of shuttle buses but they do not go everywhere, not to these neighborhoods. So I want to raise money for them because they deserve a safe way to get to work. They are patient facing, caring for immunocompromised cancer patients and until the MTA can guarantee safer riding conditions or the hospital comes up with a better commuting solution, I want to help my coworkers stay off the subways. Because I feel they, too, should have that privilege. 

In a perfect world the government and/or large corporations would be taking care of everyone, but in reality it is up to the individuals to care for our neighbors and community. Thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion.


**For those of you wondering how these funds will be allocated-I have identified the coworkers from my center that are in need, determined an estimated cost per ride, and then factored in how many days per week they are currently being asked to work.  I plan on giving the money directly to each individual on a week by week basis but have calculated commuter costs for the next 4 weeks as a starting point.  If there is any left over money  I will identify other coworkers within my organization or it will be donated to frontline workers**

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or if you have any ideas on how to make this fundraiser more efficient and impactful.   Stay safe. <3 Alex