When the family of 14-year-old Glenn learned his cancer had returned after being in remission for six years, the news was devastating. A new treatment was found out of state but was out of reach for them. Rainbow Connection, with the help of a grant from Impact100 Oakland County, provided financial support so they could travel for Glenn to receive this possible lifesaving treatment.

Glenn’s story is just one of nearly 50 stories we could share of Rainbow Connection “Wish Families” in our community who benefited last year from the collective giving of Impact100 Oakland County. How did we help?

• Our $90,000 grant funded a new Rainbow Connection initiative that meets the emergency needs of Oakland County families with children facing life-threatening medical conditions.

• Emergency assistance comes in many forms, paying for housing and utility bills, food and gas cards, bus passes and car repairs.

• The impact is exponential when you consider the 50 Wish Families include parents and siblings totaling 182 people, not to mention the benefit to the extended family and community members who continuously support these loved ones in a time of crisis.

• Rainbow Connection built upon this success and secured additional funding and partnerships to sustain the project after the Impact100 Oakland County grant expires.

According to Rainbow Connection Wish Director Ingrid Todt, our grant has had a profound impact. Thanks to your collective giving, families are able to focus on their child and their recovery during the most difficult journey of their lives.

Meredith Meyer is an Impact100 Oakland County member since 2017 and a member of the public relations committee.