We kicked off 2024 by launching Keeping Caregivers Close- our new grant program that provides financial help for caregivers to travel with their loved ones for medical needs. 

Our first grant recipient of the year is the ultimate bad a$$ caregiver mama, Erica Hunt. Along with her husband, Dan, they are the proud parents of beautiful Ella (age 12), also pictured with her amazing older brothers, Noah and Carter. 

Our hearts swelled when we received this email from Erica, “I can’t begin to tell you how much weight it has taken off of our shoulders, knowing we have the funds to manage the travel. We are about ready to leave for Madison for a trip next week! This allows us an opportunity to exhale in one small part of our journey. “

Ella has SMA Type 1 and suffered an injury that left her paralyzed from the chest down. These two rockstar parents travel up to six times a year from Elkhart, Indiana, to Madison, Wisconsin, to ensure Ella has the specialized care she needs. In the past years, they have spent up to 14 weeks in Wisconsin. This means 50+ weeks living near a hospital and more than 300 trips back and forth in her young life.

Additionally, they travel to Chicago weekly for spine clinics and therapy and have been frequent flyers to the St. Louis area for medication injections. Ella has become a world traveler as a medically complex child. 

In their humble and sincere application their meager ask was money for gas and tolls. Thanks to our generous Cocktails & Caregivers, donors, and sponsors – this family was awarded grant monies to help cover FOUR trips to Madison this year, including gas, tolls, meals, and hotel accommodations.