Post a Thank You
We never want to sensationalize other people’s hardships. But to keep helping others, we do have to fundraise. So we asked one of the family’s we helped if we could share their story and use their beautiful daughter’s picture. If you have ever received one of our brochures, a donor receipt, or visited our website you may already know about sweet, little Brooke.
Brooke is one of ten children in her family — a family built by love and compassion. When other family members lives were tragically cut short, Brooke’s parents adopted their orphaned relatives (from two different relatives as sadly, tragedy struck twice within a short time frame) and their family grew considerably — while their income did not.
Brooke’s parents are an amazing and loving couple. They work hard to provide for all their children and even have some insurance. But when Brooke was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes the extra expense of co-pays and medical bills put a strain on the family’s limited income. But no one else would help this family of 12. Not the county where they lived, not state programs, not Lilly, or the many other places they sought some relief.
At IPump, we do something unique. We look at each applicant’s overall situation, not just their income and insurance. We do not use formulas and questionnaires designed to eliminate people before they get a chance to tell us their entire story. After hearing about Brooke’s family, there was no doubt they are struggling because of medical expenses.
When someone, like Brooke, needs insulin to live, to refuse help when there is a genuine need is inexcusable. But IPump, too, would have to say “no” if it were not for people who help us.
Thanks to our wonderful donors of diabetes supplies we were able to help Brooke, and to date,.more than 240 people with diabetes (not bad for a new, nonprofit organization run by one woman from her garage!). Please, keep those donations of diabetes supplies coming because whatever you send to us goes out free to others in need. (We are also grateful for financial donations which help us pay for shipping and buy supplies that are not donated to us). Anything you send, no matter how small, gets pooled with other donations and adds up to big things! All your donations are tax-deductible (we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit).
To find out how you can help write to help@ipump.org or visit us at www.ipump.org.
Here is a letter from Brooke’s mother.
Dear Lahle,
It would be an honor for you to have Brooke on your website and you can be as specific as you need to be. I told Brooke that you wanted her to be on your website so that maybe when they see how happy she is with her bears, other people who had resources would help children with diabetes, she was very excited when I told her this. You have also found a way to make me feel like we are helping other children who are in our situation even though I do not have a way to help financially, telling Brooke’s story and showing how the generous contributions of others effects the families who receive the supplies. If you need any more pictures, feel free to email me. We want to help in anyway we can.
You have no idea how much your organization has helped me and my family in a very trying time. You have not only lifted a huge burden off my shoulders, you have put a smile on Brooke’s face…one that I haven’t seen in a while. Brooke wanted me to ask if your daughter could send a picture, and that maybe they could become email pals. I think it would be great if Brooke could see that there are other kids who have diabetes and she is not the only one.
Thank you very much Lahle…(how do you hide your wings?)…You are the angel I prayed for.
Holly
June 10th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Hi Lahle,
I just wanted to write to say thank you for all of your help in such a rough period in our lives! I was really in a panic and you came through for us.
We have had a wonderful change of insurance. All of Drew’s supplies are covered at 100%- we just have to pay for prescription copays now. I wanted to let you know, not only to thank you, but thinking that this might free up some funds for someone who needs it now.
Thank you again and have a wonderful weekend! I hope you are all well.
Best wishes and with gratitude,
Betsy S.
August 7th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
WE GOT IT!!! YEA, GAIL IS SOOOOO HAPPY! She has taken it to both grandma’s to show them, put it on her bed, carries it all over the house, sits on it while watching TV, rolls up in it to pretend shes camping, and all of that in only the 2 days we’ve had it!
I’ll take a couple of pictures tonight for you- it is gorgeous!!!! Thank you SO much.
Trish & Gail M. in Canada
January 18th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I just wanted to say thanks to Ipump, Lahle Wolfe and her group for a spectacular service. I lost my job after 26 years of exemplary service in 2003. Their words not mine. Anyway it was due to health problems, partially caused from my diabetes. I went through my savings, 401K and ended up selling my home and anything in it that had any worth just to cover my health costs that weren’t covered by the insurance that I had. Once the money was gone, So was my home, insurance and my health went downhill rapidly. Still waiting on Social Security and State assistance just to cover food and my health costs. I found Ipump through my Homeless Outreach case worker. What a God send. Ipump has assisted me with things that are not covered through Prescription Assistance Programs, like my testing supplies and insulin syringes. It has made this part of my life again manageable. I don’t know what I would do without them. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. Janelle, Denver,Colorado
February 15th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Thank you so much for the supplies that you will be sending me. I was so happy to get your letter today.. God bless you and your organation. These supplies are much needed seeing that all I ever do is pinch pennys and never have enough to go around.
Hopefully someday I can volunteer to help such a great cause.
Vicky, San Bernardino, Ca.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
i just wanted to thank you so very much for your help….with every thing! so thanks again,your wonderful,and i do not know what i would of done with out your help,it helped me so very much because i was having to choose to care for myself or my 3 children…and you helped me with that for the time being!!!!!!!THANKS
Wendy in Oregon
March 5th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I am so greatful for the pump supplies. It was so wonderful to get the letter in the mail saying you all could help me. Money is very tight, especially in the winter. Thanks to all the donors. I hope I can return the favor someday. I feel so blesses to find this organization. Thanks again.
Jennifer in TN
March 13th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Thank you so much for the supplies that you will be sending me. i was really glad to get the letter saying that you could help me. i was on your program a few years ago and you really helped me then to. it is really hard when you have no insurance nor income because you are trying to get on disabilty. thank you for the help and thank you to everyone that has made this program avaliable for everyone in the world.I hope I can return the favor someday. I feel so blessed to find this organization. Thanks again. Stephanie Jones In Dickson Tennessee
April 5th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Ms. Wolfe,
I just can’t say enough to express our appreciation for the help that your company has provided. The supplies have been a great help. Caitlyn loves the quilt, book, and other extra goodies that you sent. May God bless you and your company for the wonderful things you do for those that need help.
Thanks,
(name withheld)
Caitlyn’s Mother
April 20th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I have not been testing my levels ,as I am suppose to because the test strips and other supplies are just to expensive. Now, with your generous donation I can now do this.I can not say thank you enough.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:58 pm
i just wanted to thank you so very much for your help….with every thing!so thanks again,your wonderful,and i do not know what i would of done with out your help,it helped me so very much because i was having to choose to care for myself or my 3 children…and you helped me with that for the time being!!!!!!!THANKS Wendy
May 5th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Lahle,
You are a most gracious and wonderful person. Thank you from the depths of our patients’ hearts! We look forward to receiving our supplies. Again, thank you.
Daria
August 15th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Dear Lahle,
Thanks for all the great work you do. We have received the microlancing devices and will be able to distribute them to our patients who cannot afford to buy them. Congratulations on your expansion!
Gratefully, Jason
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Dear Lahle Wolfe & Ipump, September 2, 2008
Thank you so much for being a Angel on earth. I was at my end of me rope. I had been to the point of reusing all of my syringes at least three to four times a week because I just could not afford to buy the supplies I needed. At time I would use my grocery money to pay for the test strips I needed. Thank you so much for the supplies that you will be sending me.
Back in 2003 I had a mild heart attack and needed a double bypass. I was laid up for almost six months during this time I lost my job and my insurance. I also found out that I had become a full blow diabetic. I had to use my retirement money to help pay for my medical expenses and keep up with all my other bills. I had no ideal what I was to do.
Then one day I said to myself there has to be someone out there that could help. So I started to search on the Internet and I found iPump.org Even though you may not know it, your generosity and kind approval letter have meant a lot. You are a source of encouragement, and the stepping stone I was searching for. Thank you and the Board of Directors for all your help and enlightenment in humanity.
I hope one day I can return the favor.
Sincerely,
Stephen Sandoval
September 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am
I would like to thank everyone at ipump.org who has made it possible for me to get the insulin pump supplies I needed. I was literally at the end of my rope, wonderding how I was going to get these supplies considering I no longer have any health insurance to help pay for the supplies. I heard about your website by means of needymeds.com. After completing the application and waiting for a couple of weeks, I learned that I had been approved. All I could say was Thank You Jesus for making a way out of no way. I pray that God will continue to allow donations to come to your company, so that you can continue being a blessing to people like myself. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, AND I PRAY GOD’S BLESSINGS OVER YOUR COMPANY.
RPAIGE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
October 12th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I just received my supplies. It was like opening a Christmas present. I can not thank you enough. Your organization is wonderful. Your donors and sponors are a blessing.
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Thank you for the much needed supplies, with my husband out of work for two years,things are more than little tight. Thank you agian, I feel that angels must be watching over me. Keep up the good work it is much appreciated. dm fowler
November 21st, 2008 at 1:56 am
I want to personally thank Lahle Wolfe, Director of ipump.org, for recently shipping to us more diabetic supplies. These items will be added to all of the other supplies donated locally and will eventually find their way to needy diabetics here in Michigan and across the United States. Again, these days it is so very hard to get people and corporations to donate money and equipment for adult persons with diabetes having very little health insurance or money! Thank you so much Lahle from the bottom of my heart. Kenneth R. Pritz - Executive Director, The Julie Love Assistance Program For Diabetics, Inc.