October 2025: Money Talk
Hello dear folks,
This is Marc writing, with a picture of finances for Hanna and Careforce. We want to let you know where things stand, clarify the need, and invite both your support and suggestions.
The wonderful thing is that Hanna has lived longer than anyone expected (especially her!). We had the “Living End (of life) Celebration” over a year ago. It has been more than two and a half years since Hanna’s diagnosis, three years since first symptoms, and we are grateful for every day.
As time goes on, Hanna’s need for care becomes more constant and detailed. We rely on our wonderful paid caregivers, who provide constancy and consistency we can’t provide with Careforce volunteers alone. That’s expensive.
What's needed?
I’ll offer two views of what’s up. The first is a snapshot of the present.
Throughout the past two years, we’ve tried to maintain a three-month cushion in the balance we have on hand. That lets us operate without the added stress of low funds, while also keeping an eye on the future. As you can see, that cushion is now less than our goal, and moving toward nervous-making. The main reason for this is our increased reliance on paid care.
We would love to raise $17,000 in the next month, so we can continue to pay our excellent caregivers. (This is our “survival” figure. The “thriving” figure would add funding to better support our volunteers, expenses after Hanna’s death, and future publication of Hanna’s work.)
How to help
If you are able to give, the easiest is to go through GiveButter. One-time contributions are great. Monthly donations are great too—a way for you to manage things and for us to have foresight.
Pass it on?
Might someone else in your world be interested in Hanna’s story and able to support her care, life and work? Do pass on this link, or a link to the GiveButter campaign: givebutter.com/hanna-care.
Where does it come from? Where does it go?
The second picture is a summary of the full history of the “Hanna Fund.”
The left side shows the inflow from our different sources, while the right side shows where the money has gone. This is imprecise, but it is true in its categories and proportions.
Of the sources we have available for income, talking to you is our most flexible. The savings are gone, social security is fixed, grants are limited and take a lot of effort, and family and friends have done / are doing all they can.
What's not included: the invisible balance sheet
Money alone does not give a realistic picture of the resources that are required for Hanna’s care. And Hanna’s condition and quality of life is not the only fruit born from this flow. What else is on the balance sheet of care and community?
Thank you
Thank you for the swirling flow of generosity and love we’ve experienced for two and a half years—financial, emotional, laborial, jokeial. tearial, laughial, poemial—in all forms. It’s not one-way, from community to Hanna and Careforce. It’s a system of currents among us, in which we all participate. From the exhalations of the trees with whom we exchange our own exhalations, to a meal provided, a coin contributed, a compliment given, a tear witnessed, a need confessed. Thank you. It’s a privilege.