Support Agape Clinic

November 2006

Dear Friend,

Perhaps you have seen some of the news articles and television programs about the issue of healthcare for the uninsured or “working poor.” Representing 24.6% of the population of Texas, these are precisely the patients served by the Agape Clinic for the amazingly low cost of less than $25 per patient – including the prescription medications we provide.

Jessica is a 9 year old with a three year history of asthma. She has been to several clinics and given prescriptions for albuterol inhalers (a “rescue” medication) that she typically used 2-4 times/day. Despite the medication she continued to have a frequent nighttime cough, intermittent wheezing during the day, missed several days of school each month, and had twice been hospitalized. At Agape she was given an in-depth work-up and was started on an inhaler and oral medication to prevent problems + a rescue inhaler. After several medication adjustments her mother reports that the wheezing and nighttime coughing has stopped and Jessica can – for the first time in several years – play outside and at recess everyday.

In 2006, how is it possible to provide quality healthcare for less than $25/visit, including medications? We are able to do this at Agape through:

·      The dedication of volunteer physicians, nurses, social workers, and lay people.

·      Cooperative relationships with educational institutions and community organizations such as Baylor University, UTSW Medical School, Dallas Concilio, and others.

·      Low-cost and free medications/vaccines from physicians, pharmaceutical companies and other aid agencies.

·      Careful stewardship of financial and human resources.

We are asking for your investment and support, not only in quality medical care provided by the volunteers and staff, but in the other important services at Agape:

·      Social services to bridge the often huge gap between needs and services.

·      Community education and development, including weekly health classes and activities for parents at neighborhood schools, promotora education, and diabetes education. Photo: Waiting room

·      Wellness and preventive care such as well-woman appointments with Agape’s Certified Nurse Midwife, health improvement appointments for children with the pediatric nurse practitioner, and periodic (2-5/year) health screening events.  

·      Service-learning for medical, nursing, and other students.

·      Spiritual care such as prayer and emotional support of patients, families, and community via volunteers, clergy and church congregations.

We hope you will support the health and growth of Agape Clinic with a financial contribution. Please know that your investment will make a real and tangible difference in the lives of the working poor and their families.

©   $20 will treat three children with eye infections.

©   $30 will purchase three inhalers for people with asthma.

©   $50 can treat ten people with common skin diseases.

©   $100 will purchase 40 bottles of amoxicillin powder for children’s ear infections.

©   $200 can treat three people with diabetes for one year.

©   $500-$1000 will help pay the salary of an Agape promotora (lay health promoter).

©   $2000-$4000 will purchase needed equipment such as a hyfrecator (for dermatology) or a diabetes analysis machine.

Students and volunteers comment on working at Agape:

When I walked into the hall there was a nurse practitioner, medical student, and someone else praying with a patient. Tears were running down the patient’s face …It was one of the hardest weeks of my four years in college … I felt like at last, I was really doing something important … I saw him at the beginning of the rotation and at the end. I could not believe how much better he was … I had no idea this patient was depressed, but when the doctor asked it was like a flood … It really opened my eyes to community health and the problems people face. I had no idea …

Thank you for your support and faith in Agape’s mission!

Agape is designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible

Please make checks payable to Agape Clinic and mail to:

Leslie Kemp

Agape Clinic

4105 Junius Street 

Dallas, Texas 75246

Sincerely,