ACB Diabetics In Action announces the launch of the Patricia LaFrance-Wolf Memorial Fund!
On March 1, 2024, ACB Diabetics In Action launched the Patricia LaFrance-Wolf Memorial Fund – a fund to provide members in good standing with emergency assistance with the purchase of diabetes-related supplies or services.
Patricia (Pat) LaFrance-Wolf was remarkable in many ways, but in the context of this award program, she was a model for anyone who has diabetes. She became a type 1 diabetic at the age of 8. She handled her diabetes and stayed active for more than 65 years. It wasn’t easy to be a person with diabetes for many of those years, and while Pat suffered setbacks along the way, including blindness in mid-adulthood, she prevailed and stayed active as an inspiration to those who knew her and those who read her many posts on many diabetes-related bulletin boards and listservs. She was actively engaged in providing diabetes education at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles, Calif. Her last health crisis came in the midst of a telephone conference call, doing the work she loved, helping others every chance she had. Pat was indeed a truly selfless leader!
In honor of Pat and her tremendous work, ACB Diabetics in Action’s (ACBDA) Board of Directors created the Patricia LaFrance-Wolf Memorial Fund to assist people living with diabetes and vision loss. The purpose of this fund is to provide assistance to members in good standing who are in severe need of emergency assistance in managing their diabetes.
The committee is now accepting applications for assistance at https://www.acb.org/memorial/.
Who Is Eligible?
Individual members of ACB Diabetics In Action who have been members in good standing for at least six (6) months are eligible to apply for assistance from this fund. Each applicant may receive one (1) award of up to $200 during a three-year period.
What Will Be Supplied?
ACBDA will use as much flexibility as possible in determining what is supplied. It must be diabetes-related, and the applicant’s need for a grant must be established. Examples of what might be included can be found on the online application form.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted via completion of the online application form, located at https://www.acbda.org/memorial/. (If completing the online application form presents barriers to an applicant, assistance will be provided by members of the committee.)
How are grant funds distributed?
Grant funds are distributed from ACBDA directly to the equipment/service provider. Funds are not distributed to the grant recipient. In some cases, ACBDA may elect to provide requested equipment directly when such equipment has been donated to ACBDA by the equipment manufacturer, distributor, or other designated representative.
How will applications be judged?
Committee members will determine whether the applicant has met the fund’s criteria, including ACBDA membership. The committee will evaluate the applicant’s circumstances and need for the funds, as well as the amount awarded, based on the total cost of the requested item(s) and available funds.
The committee’s decision is final.
The committee members will keep each applicant’s sensitive financial and medical information confidential, only sharing the applicant’s contact information and other pertinent details with the provider of the needed items.
How long does it take to receive a grant?
ACBDA makes every effort to process completed applications within seven days after a fully completed application is received by the grants committee. If additional information is required, this process may take longer.
For more information, contact the committee at: [email protected].
Not yet a member? Please consider joining ACBDA, enjoying many benefits which could improve your life with diabetes.