The SF Gate shared the story of Carlos Urrutia Felix, a union carpenter whose kidney cancer diagnosis caused significant financial hardships for his family. Assistance from two local charities helped him get by until his Social Security Income was approved. Felix thought that he would be able to return to work a few months after treatment but had ongoing health complications that kept him from returning, "He developed heart problems and high blood pressure related to his operation. His wife’s $500 monthly income from her part-time job at Victoria’s Secret was not enough to feed the family, so he applied for unemployment benefits."

Disability payments weren't enough to cover their monthly expenses so Felix reached out to two local organization, Shelter, Inc. and the San Francisco Chronicle’s Season of Sharing fund that were able to provide him with the necessary funds to pay rent and get food until his Social Security Income was approved. 

Unfortunately, we hear and see stories like this all too often. For more information check out Cancer on a Shoestring and Financial Assistance for Those in Need.

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