Celebrating the First Anniversary of There With Care

On Saturday, January 19, 2013, I had the pleasure of volunteering with an extraordinary organization: There With Care, for Families and Children Facing Critical Illness. It was an honor meeting the Bay Area Chapter Executive Director Michelle Chang. She was busily working alongside the volunteers on Saturday morning. 

There With Care is a non-profit 501(c)(3) located at 3475 Edison Way, Suite H, in Menlo Park, that provides a wide range of meaningful and fundamental services to children and families during the critical phase of a medical crisis.

Based in Colorado, since 2005, There With Care has supported hundreds of children and families during the most challenging time of their lives.

Michelle Chang launched the Bay Area Chapter after enduring pediatric cancer first-hand with her daughter. She was inspired to do so after reading about There With Care, based in Coloarado, in the June 2011 issue of O Magazine.

"I thought this is exactly what families need," Michelle said, "When you're going through critical illness, you need someone to do your laundry, to bring you groceries, to help with an oil change, to help with childcare. I know when I had a six week old and a two year old, we just needed help."

The Greater Bay Area Chapter of There With Care, is celebrating its one year anniversary this month! This is the perfect time to learn more about the organization and to get involved. After reading this blog and watching the video, I hope you too will feel inspired to help families in need. Anything you do or provide will be greatly appreciated. 

This chapter serves pediatric oncology and neo-natal patients at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto and plans to expand service to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco and Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland.

There With Care has:

• Served more than 800 families

• Delivered 250,155 pounds of groceries

• Provided $1,436,285 in donated volunteer and professional service hours. 

Please watch this incredible and impromptu interview with Michelle Chang, Executive Director, and please consider becoming a volunteer, making an in-kind donation or financial contribution to There With Care.

For more information please visit:

Bayarea.therewithcare.org or contact Michelle directly at 650.268.8555.

"There With Care was the little angel on our shoulder, especially on the really tough days. Without their help we wouldn't be in the position we are in, both physically and mentally. We are eternally grateful." - Jill Mott