'The Society for Children and Adults saved my life'
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
For a services organization, there can be no higher compliment than, "They saved my life."
Hillsboro resident Benton Carver doesn't hesitate and doesn't blink when he says, "The Highland County Society for Children and Adults saved my life."
That sentiment, though, makes him very emotional, and he does have to wipe away a few tears.
Carver, 58, said sometimes people fall through the cracks. Insurance may not cover an expense, or they may not meet requirements for state or federal assistance. When medical expenses begin to drain pockets, and bank accounts, sometimes there are few places to turn.
Carver, and his sister, Helen Runyon, 74, both West Virginia natives, say they are lucky, because when they fell through the cracks, the Highland County Society for Children and Adults worked to fill in the gaps in their health coverage.
Runyon and Carver have been named as Society advocates, and they are sharing their stories in hopes that people will donate during the Society's annual telethon March 30, from 6-10 p.m. at U.S. Bank in Hillsboro, and at McClain High School in Greenfield.
Runyon was diagnosed with cancer in September 2010, and Carver has been battling a slew of health problems, including cancer, heart issues, diabetes, and medical issues regarding his pancreas. Carver first learned of the society when he couldn't afford his medication and his pharmacy put him in touch with organizers.
Carver has lived in Hillsboro since 1996, and Runyon joined her brother, and a daughter who was living here, approximately 10 years ago.
"I love this town," Carver said, as he has trouble holding back tears of gratitude when he talked about the Society, and the people who support it.
"They saved my life," Carver said. "I appreciate it. Nine years ago I couldn't' get my heart medication. I was disabled, I'd had heart surgery and couldn't go back to work. I had no insurance. I was poor, and the people of Highland County saved my life. And I say thank you and God bless you. They paid for two months of my heard medication. I finally got insurance through the state. The state can only help you a certain length of time when you're disabled."
Carver is an outreach minister at the Serenity in Christian Union church in Hillsboro. Runyon, a former LPN, was a prayer minister at the church until she became too ill. They credit their faith with seeing them through, but also the work of the Society, and its director, Gayle Coss.
"People like Gayle Coss and the Society and the people in this community, there's just no place like this in the world," Carver said. I've not seen it in Ohio, or West Virginia. I ask that people please give to this organization."
Runyon said that is really true that only a few dollars can make a difference.
"They have mostly helped me out with gas vouchers. I had to have radiation treatments, and even though I just had to drive to Wilmington, going every day can add up pretty quick," she said. "A $5 voucher can sometimes make all the difference."
Carver said, "I don't think people realize all that the Society does. They buy canes, they buy wheelchairs, they pay for a hotel room if you've got little ones that are sick in a hospital out of town. It's the only organization of its kind that I know of."
During the 2010 telethon, the society raised $148,300. The first telethon, held in 1973, raised $1,715. The 2007 event raised an all-time high of $217,043.
Though economically times have been tough in Highland County, Carver said he knows that the community's generosity will prevail.
"It is wonderful that such a small community is able to do something like this," he said. "I hope that even this year people will be able to give with a loving heart, because God will reward them. I would hate for Gayle to have to say to someone, 'No, we can't buy your child's insulin because we're out of money,' or "No, we can't help you pay for a hotel room so you can stay with your sick child.' Even a dollar will help. If 100 people if a dollar, it can make a difference. I am so happy for the society, and the work that they do. They really did save my life."
For a services organization, there can be no higher compliment than, "They saved my life."
Hillsboro resident Benton Carver doesn't hesitate and doesn't blink when he says, "The Society for Children and Adults saved my life."
That sentiment, though, makes him very emotional, and he does have to wipe away a few tears.
Carver, 58, said sometimes people fall through the cracks. Insurance may not cover an expense, or they may not meet requirements for state or federal assistance. When medical expenses begin to drain pockets, and bank accounts, sometimes there are few places to turn.
Carver, and his sister, Helen Runyon, 74, both West Virginia natives, say they are lucky, because when they fell through the cracks, the Highland County Society for Children and Adults worked to fill in the gaps in their health coverage.
Runyon and Carver have been named as Society advocates, and they are sharing their stories in hopes that people will donate during the Society's annual telethon March 30, from 6-10 p.m. at U.S. Bank in Hillsboro, and at McClain High School in Greenfield.
Runyon was diagnosed with cancer in September 2010, and Carver has been battling a slew of health problems, including cancer, heart issues, diabetes, and medical issues regarding his pancreas. Carver first learned of the society when he couldn't afford his medication and his pharmacy put him in touch with organizers.
Carver has lived in Hillsboro since 1996, and Runyon joined her brother, and a daughter who was living here, approximately 10 years ago.
"I love this town," Carver said, as he has trouble holding back tears of gratitude when he talked about the Society, and the people who support it.
"They saved my life," Carver said. "I appreciate it. Nine years ago I couldn't get my heart medication. I was disabled, I'd had heart surgery and couldn't go back to work. I had no insurance. I was poor, and the people of Highland County saved my life. And I say thank you and God bless you. They paid for two months of my heart medication. I finally got insurance through the state. The state can only help you a certain length of time when you're disabled."
Carver is an outreach minister at the Serenity in Christian Union church in Hillsboro. Runyon, a former LPN, was a prayer minister at the church until she became too ill. They credit their faith with seeing them through, but also the work of the Society, and its director, Gayle Coss.
"People like Gayle Coss and the Society and the people in this community, there's just no place like this in the world," Carver said. I've not seen it in Ohio, or West Virginia. I ask that people please give to this organization."
Runyon said that is really true that only a few dollars can make a difference.
"They have mostly helped me out with gas vouchers. I had to have radiation treatments, and even though I just had to drive to Wilmington, going every day can add up pretty quick," she said. "A $5 voucher can sometimes make all the difference."
Carver said, "I don't think people realize all that the Society does. They buy canes, they buy wheelchairs, they pay for a hotel room if you've got little ones that are sick in a hospital out of town. It's the only organization of its kind that I know of."
During the 2010 telethon, the society raised $148,300. The first telethon, held in 1973, raised $1,715. The 2007 event raised an all-time high of $217,043.
Though economically times have been tough in Highland County, Carver said he knows that the community's generosity will prevail.
"It is wonderful that such a small community is able to do something like this," he said. "I hope that even this year people will be able to give with a loving heart, because God will reward them. I would hate for Gayle to have to say to someone, 'No, we can't buy your child's insulin because we're out of money,' or "No, we can't help you pay for a hotel room so you can stay with your sick child.' Even a dollar will help. If 100 people if a dollar, it can make a difference. I am so happy for the society, and the work that they do. They really did save my life."
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