Asking for help, especially financial help, often comes with a great deal of shame. Asking for a hand with money can be embarrassing. In fact, we see many applicants at Modest Needs who wait until their situations are incredibly dire before coming to us for help. It is unfortunate, because asking for help is one of the best ways to help yourself. It takes bravery.

We feel strongly that this “charity case” stigma needs to end!  And it needs to end today.  According to a recent study by Duke University, the average cancer patient pays over $8500 a year in out of pocket expenses not covered by insurance.   If 75% of Americans can’t come up with $2000 in an emergency, imagine how few can come up with $8,500.  I’d wager that for 99.5% of Americans an expense of this nature would be devastating.

Such a great message to remember and to share and spread around. Don't wait for others to ask for help when you can tell they need it. Save them the embarrassment. And contribute to a future world where there is no shame in asking for help one genuinely needs.

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