Every day, our staff works tirelessly to support our mission: Connecting companies and causes to raise funds for Nebraska’s leading health agencies. We raise funds from across the state so that our agencies can empower all Nebraskans affected by chronic disease, disabilities and end-of-life issues. Here are some of their achievements.
Agency Successes
Combined, our agencies invested $604,596,413 on medical research to fund new treatment options and ultimately find a cure for chronic health conditions.
The ALS Association’s ALS Treatment Centers and clinics supported 334 newly diagnosed ALS patients with a total of 1,285 clinic visits, delivering specialized and comprehensive care to guide them through their ALS journey.
Over 2,500 people were served by the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter last year. This includes calling the Helpline, attending an education program in person, on-demand or virtually, attending a support group or receiving a care consultation.
Since 2021, AFSP Nebraska has distributed 200 grief kits to newly bereaved community members and in 2023 AFSP provided 164 education events to 35,417 participants.
More than 20 million individuals each year are helped by American Lung Association programs and initiatives, and we support everyone in this country through education, advocacy and research. https://www.lung.org/about-us/our-impact
Patients receive resources from the Arthritis Foundation Nebraska website as well as attending our events, Walk to Cure Arthritis and Jingle Bell Run. JA families are invited JA Family Fun Days in the spring. JA Families are also able to attend a JA Summit in the summer to meet many families from around the country, as well as attending camps (located in other states) There they meet other families. We provide virtual podcasts, webinars, connect groups, and patient education. We have a strong advocacy committee and community outreach committee.
Over 1,000 individuals received autism training in 2023 through Autism Action Partnership’s training program, COMPASS.
Since 2016, 1,000+ clients have been served by Brain Injury Alliance resource facilitation specialists who assist in building personalized support teams providing information resources, and referral services to individuals and their families.
In several Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) supported clinical trials, disease-modifying therapies—treatments that can slow, halt, or reverse the course of the disease—demonstrated that they could slow progression in new-onset T1D. Also, JDRF and partners are supporting nonprofit pharmaceutical company Civica, which will launch three biosimilar insulins. Civica plans to file for FDA approval of the first of these insulins in 2024. JDRF will not stop until everyone has access to insulin at a predictable, affordable price.
Over 40 patients and family members attended the Camp Oasis/ MyIBD Family pediatric event at Platte River State Park held by the Nebraska Chapter Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. The event is a day of fun and fellowship for youth going through similar challenges due to IBD.
For the first time, because of the groundbreaking research and medication made available for those living with Cystic Fibrosis, the life expectancy has increased to 53 years old!
Through Epilepsy Foundation programming, 20,918 people have become trained our Seizure First Aid Programs, 291 people participated in the Purple Pumpkin Project in 2023 and 15,313 people received assistance via our 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000.
Heart Heroes served over 500 CHD families in 2023 through family support events, Nebraska outreach initiatives, the totes of hope (surgery care kits) program, inpatient support, and Camp Brave Heart.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – Nebraska provided $3,227,500 in co-pay assistance to 338 Nebraska patients this past fiscal year.
The March of Dimes provided Meals That Matter to over 1100 families and NICU staff in 2024.
This past year, through the National MS Society’s Navigator Program: 196 constituents in Nebraska received assistance through the MS Navigator Program through 1,631 interactions and 58 constituents in Nebraska received $75,664 in direct financial assistance.
Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP) provides always-free, always-confidential HIV case management services to more than 1,000 people across the state of Nebraska. Individuals case managed by NAP exceed national trends for viral suppression and health outcomes.
More than 75 families were served by the Nebraska Chapter of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation through the expansion of enhanced programming opportunities to underserved populations such as women, teens, and those in our rural areas.
Nebraska Health Care Foundation awarded 58 educational scholarships and four patient lift systems. Produced one docuseries highlighting life inside seven Nebraska nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Supported the distribution of one healthcare-themed afterschool program and summer camp curriculum, reaching 3,100 students in grades 3-12 in 30 sites across Nebraska to date; two new dementia-related TV and in-service programs; the translation of one medication aide training manual to Spanish; and one year-long leadership program. Awarded emergency funds to 11 individuals impacted by 2024 storms in Nebraska.
Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association and CHAD Nebraska have partnered to provide certification prep training to more than 90 hospice professionals in the past 3 years. Nebraska now has 64 registered nurses and 29 advanced practice registered nurses nationally certified in hospice and palliative care. Nebraska has 11 nationally certified hospice and palliative care nursing assistants. NHPCA partnered with CHAD to offer pediatric hospice training in 2 locations in 2024, with approximately 125 hospice staff receiving training. NHPCA offered 9 scholarships to the annual conference, 125 webinars and 10 live and virtual training events.
The Nebraska Kidney Association granted 613 Emergency Assistance Grants for financial aid to help with food, transportation, medicine, utility bills and miscellaneous special requests. This was close to triple from the previous fiscal year.
Komen Financial Assistance Program provided Nebraska residents over $80,000 in financial assistance for the expenses of daily living for people in breast cancer treatment or living with MBC. Worked with local partners to deliver over 400 Chemotherapy Kits to those currently going through treatments. Brought together nearly 3000 individuals across the community to honor, celebrate and pay tribute to those impacted by breast cancer through the Nebraska MORE THAN PINK Walk.
Team Jack has pledged and additional $5 million to fund the Childhood Brain Tumor Program at UNMC and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. The program is called the POWER 5 Childhood Brain Tumor Initiative and supports several key areas of focus: laboratory research, clinical research, pain management and education.
United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska offered 8 Family Focus events designed for the entire family unit bringing families facing similar challenges together and providing the opportunity to draw strength and knowledge as well as relax and socialize. More than 1,973 people participated in 2023.