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Meet Good Days Member Waunita

"Help from Good Days has given me another reason to keep going"

 

“Sometimes you have to sink or swim. I decided to swim because I am not a quitter,” says Waunita, a blood cancer survivor and former Certified Nursing Assistant who lives on and continues to work alongside her husband Chet on their 75-acre beef cattle farm in Pennsylvania.

 

Waunita learned she had polycythemia, a type of blood cancer, more than 10 years ago. She was initially able to manage the condition until the medicine she was prescribed suddenly stopped working. After her doctor prescribed a new, more effective treatment, Wuanita learned it would cost nearly $20,000 each month—a price far too high for her or her family to afford. Today, Waunita has a copay of just five dollars per month thanks to Good Days support in addition to the costs covered by her health insurance.

 

“I’m thankful for the help with the cost of my medicine as well as with my monthly insurance premiums,” says Waunita. “The Good Days team has been heaven sent for the last several years.”

 

Age and health conditions have not stopped Wuanita or Chet from working hard each day. Together they manage all aspects of beef production for the half dozen cattle on their farm each year.

 

“We just do it for our family,” says Waunita, who once gave more than 100 pounds of beef to each individual in her extended family. “The assistance means that I can focus on what I need to do; I can do my cooking, my baking, my canning, cutting my herbs and veggies and sowing. More than the average person.”

 

Waunita and Chet have more than a dozen grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their family farm is a place where everyone can enjoy time together. Waunita fondly remembers the two wedding celebrations she and Chet hosted there for their grandchildren over the years and looks forward to more parties to come.

 

“I don't want you to think that I am suffering, because I am not,” says Waunita. “I am sorry that I have to have these life-sustaining meds, but I am still vertical and going strong. This cancer is not going to beat me. I know I can keep going because there are people out there that are willing to go the extra mile to help me get the problem solved to get my medicine. Most importantly I always thank God for all that I have.”

 

Partner Spotlight

Nick Vujicic

Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms or legs, has persevered through life’s obstacles and found purpose in his personal journey. Along the way, Nick became a New York Times bestselling author, coach, and entrepreneur.

 

Nick faced tremendous obstacles in life, from living without limbs to being bullied at school and fearful for his future with no purpose in sight. Without hope, his feelings of helplessness and isolation led him to attempt suicide. Nick persevered through life’s challenges and discovered key principles that enabled him to find his purpose and turn obstacles into opportunities, making him one of the world’s most sought-after keynote speakers. Thanks to his courage and wisdom, millions of people have also found hope, purpose, and the strength to overcome their challenges.

Good Days was honored to host Nick at our 12th Annual Exchange this September, where he shared the tremendous obstacles he had to overcome living his life without limbs and his philosophy on how to lead fulfilled lives.

 

“I encourage you to accept that you may not be able to see a path right now, but that doesn't mean it's not there,” shares Nick. “If I fail, I try again, and again, and again. If YOU fail, are you going to try again? The human spirit can handle much worse than we realize. It matters HOW you are going to FINISH. Are you going to finish strong?”

 

Nick has leveraged his personal experiences to give back to people experiencing difficulty and has become an anti-bullying advocate who speaks to youth and adolescents in partnership with the education departments of governments around the world.  He has also created an innovative Social Emotional Learning curriculum entitled “Attitude Is Altitude,” where he teaches students how to develop self-agency and make positive changes in their own lives and in their communities. Nick is the founder and CEO of the non-profit Life Without Limbs. Learn more about his work by visiting www.nickvujicic.com.

 

Re-Enrollment Reminder

If you need financial assistance and are eligible, we encourage you to review your Medicare or Medicaid enrollment plan. Beginning November 1, you can update your 2022 application with any major life and health developments you expect to occur in the year ahead. If you enroll in a government-sponsored health care plan by December 15, your coverage will begin January 1, 2022.

 

The deadline to start, switch, or terminate a Medicare plan during the open enrollment period is December 7, 2021. Meanwhile, open enrollment for Medicaid is open from November 1, 2021 until January 15, 2022. Make sure you take a look at your health care costs in 2021 and assess your personal health care needs to choose the plan that best fits your unique personal health and financial journey!

Mark your calendars for Chronic Disease Day 2022: Coast to Coast!

February - June 2022 | Virtual

Livestream educational events throughout the year. Dates and speakers TBA

 

Friday, July 8, 2022 | Frisco, TX

I Stay Strong Kickoff Event at Good Days HQ

 

Wednesday, July 13, 2022 | Washington, D.C.

Len Rodgers Spirit Award Congressional Reception

 

Wednesday, July 20, 2022 | Honolulu, HI

Aloha Tower Lighting Reception

 

Email ChronicDiseaseDay@MyGoodDays.org to learn more about our upcoming in person and virtual advocacy events.

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

CLORINDA WALLEY

As the year comes to a close, we hope that you and your family are doing well and getting ready for a bright holiday season.

 

I am pleased to share that this year, Good Days earned another Top-Rated Non-Profit badge by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of charity user reviews. This recognition highlights our commitment to transparency and accountability, as well as our dedication to having a positive impact on people in need of access to care. I thank our Board of Directors who continue guiding us to be more effective, our dedicated staff and team of Care Navigators who are truly on the front lines easing the burdens of the people we serve, and the corporate and individual contributors who touch the lives of every person who turns to us for help. Thank you for all that you do.

 

While we are proud of our ability to reach hundreds of thousands of people on fixed incomes who are in need of access to care resources, we recognize that too many individuals still need a helping hand. In 2021 Good Days provided assistance to more individuals than ever before in its history as a non-profit organization and we know that there is more to be done.

 

For many people, health care becomes more complicated as we get older. As we work to help patients feel empowered to make the most informed health decisions, we will do more to share critical information, exchange ideas on the issues that matter most, advance access to care solutions, and amplify the authentic and diverse voices of the chronic and rare disease community.

 

With Medicare and Medicaid enrollment currently open, we hope that you will take time to review your health care costs from the past year and anticipate any health care needs that you may have in 2022. By making the best possible health care coverage decisions for you and your family, you can spend more time focusing on the things that matter most in your life.

 

On behalf of Good Days, I offer my best wishes to you and your family during the holiday season. We hope that you can enjoy quality time with those you love.

 

 

Sincerely,

Clorinda Walley, President

Good Days