A grant helps Izaiah access the care he needs
Izaiah’s story
Any day of the week, you can see the joy in young Izaiah's eyes as he plays with Legos, battles in video games or soars on the trampoline in his backyard.
"He's got a great personality. He's very loving and has a huge heart," said Stewart, Izaiah's father.
You’d never know his short life has been met with challenges. Before his first birthday, doctors discovered Izaiah had a rare medical condition.
"He was diagnosed with juvenile polyposis syndrome, and there is no cure for it," said Hannah, Izaiah's mother. "We do the repeat colonoscopies to make sure the polyps are removed before they become precancerous."
While managing Izaiah's diagnosis and the demands of ongoing treatment, the family also struggled with mounting medical bills that, at times, felt overwhelming.
"As a parent, you want to help your child any way you can, and in this situation, there was really nothing we could do," Hannah said. "We're billed anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000, even after insurance covers part of the cost."
With help from the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF), Izaiah’s family qualified for a grant to help cover the cost of his medical expenses.
"The grant was a godsend for us. It really was," Stewart said. "It gave us the opportunity to fully focus on Izaiah and his condition."
Since 2005, UHCCF has awarded more than 45,000 grants valued at over $90 million. The funding pays for children’s medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by a commercial health insurance plan.
While the family continues to monitor Izaiah's condition, he remains a bright light for his family, bringing joy to everyone around him.
"I want him to be happy. I want him to accomplish his dreams and always know he can move forward in life," Hannah said. "He makes every day worth living."
Are you eligible?
- Grant recipients must be 16 years old or younger at the time of application
- Must meet eligible income requirements
- Must be children under the care of a licensed medical professional with services rendered within the United States
- Primary coverage for a child must be by a commercial health plan, either through an employer or individually purchased. Secondary insurance through Medicaid or CHIP is permissible.
- Children do not need to be insured by UnitedHealthcare.
Do you know a family who could benefit from a children’s medical grant? The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is currently accepting grant applications. Visit UHCCF.org for more information on how to apply.
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