HUGS Receives $15,300 Grant from Bayer Fund

Nov 18, 2024

HONOLULU – HUGS For Hawaii’s Seriously Ill Children and Their Families, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Hawaii’s families with seriously ill children, announced today it received a grant for $15,300 from Bayer Fund, which will support their airfare assistance program.

“We are very grateful to Bayer Fund for awarding HUGS with this $15,300 grant to help with our airfare assistance program, especially during these challenging times, that will make a significant difference for our HUGS families,” said Maureen Purington, Executive Director of HUGS.

In Bayer Fund and HUGS mutual goal to see the communities we serve flourish, this grant from Bayer Fund will support our organization by allowing us to send a parent to be with their child as they receive life-saving medical treatment out of state when such treatment are not available in Hawaii. Medical insurance will pay for airfare for only one parent to accompany their ill child to treatment and often the other parent needs to remain home. Already financially challenged due to the high costs of their child’s medical treatment, they often do not have the resources to pay for airfare for mom or dad out of pocket. By having this grant award, we will be able to send a dad to be with mom to support each other during one of the most stressful periods of their child’s illness.

“Bayer Fund is proud to partner with HUGS and their work to make real, sustainable impacts in the Hawaii community,” said Al Mitchell, President of Bayer Fund. “Peer support programs like Respites and Mom’s and Dad’s Nights helps our neighbors and makes our community stronger, and we’re proud to support their efforts.”

Media Contact:
Alex Wereszczynskyj
alex@hugshawaii.org