We here at BHH, are so appreciative of the Great Guys and Gals out there that help to support our mission and care for all of our families. We’d love for you to meet some of the people that we consider to be extended family. First up is Super Social Worker, Lisa McLaughlin, MSW, LSW, OSW-C, who has dedicated her life to helping others. She started her career as a social worker on the Trauma Ward of the hospital and for the last 11 years has worked with cancer patients. We are so blessed to have Lisa in our lives!
Name: Lisa McLaughlin, MSW, LSW, OSW-C
Occupation: Oncology Social Worker, Cooper Cancer Institute
When I was a little kid, I read the biography of Jane Addams, the woman who founded the modern role of social worker, and I loved it. When I was in college, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. While I enjoyed my Sociology classes, doing nothing but social research did not appeal to me. I was fortunate enough to run into a friend who was majoring in Social Work at another college and took an Intro to Social Work course my last semester of college. About 2 weeks into the class, I knew that Social Work was for me and I applied to graduate school.
The absolute best thing about my job is the genuine thanks that I get every day for just doing what I am paid for – helping people through a difficult time. Many patients report that they have re-examined their priorities when confronting their mortality. I feel so fortunate that I have been given the gift of this insight through my work.
Bringing Hope Home has helped several patients that I work with to prevent the shutoff of utilities, which would be devastating and potentially dangerous to someone in the midst of cancer treatment. Other patients have simply been granted the gift of peace of mind, knowing that they can continue to pay for their health insurance for another month.
I find that working with Bringing Hope Home is very pleasant. The application process is easy and straightforward, which is so very helpful. Everyone should know about Bringing Hope Home and the good that they are doing for real, live people living with cancer today.
Research is important, but is not going to help people that are suffering today. Only organizations that directly help people can do that. Many other organizations have drastically cut or even eliminated this kind of funding. Now, more than ever, we need organizations like Bringing Hope Home to continue to help our neighbors living with cancer.