connections - Sonora Regional Medical Center

10
Tangible Love
When you see little Jackson Corum’s face light up, you
know there is a beautiful angel inside.
Jackson began life with a number of life-
threatening medical challenges. He needed a tracheostomy,
which is a surgical procedure to provide an airway, and is now
dependent on a ventilator. He has a seizure disorder that can
make breathing even harder. He also has neurological impairment.
As a result, he has been in the care of specialized facilities
since birth. He has never been home.
“The first couple of months were really hard,” said April
Corum, a lab scientist at the Medical Center and Jackson’s
mother. “You’re so shell-shocked about a lot of the devastating
things happening with your child, and there is so much that is
unknown about your future.”
April and her family spent a great deal of time with Jackson
when he was at Stanford. The cost of food and transportation was
daunting. When Jackson was moved to another facility in
Campbell, California, the expenses were even greater.
“The Chaplains Fund really blessed us,” said Corum. “The
expenses of being out of town, to see him, have been tough.”
April and her husband received gas vouchers for fuel and also food cards for their nights living in
temporary housing. The fund, when combined with donations from co-workers and the community,
enabled the family to be with Jackson as much as possible.
The Chaplains Fund was created to help families in urgent and critical situations. It helps patients
and employees fund their immediate needs, like food, shelter, temporary lodging, heat, transportation,
and prescriptions.
In 2011, the fund disbursed more than $39,226 to 173 families in three counties.
“The Chaplains Fund is a tangible way to express God’s love,” said Bryan Lewis, Medical Center
chaplain. “It touches real people and truly makes a difference. We call it ‘love with skin on it.’”
Chaplain’s Fund
The Chaplain’s Fund is designated for the
support of patients and employees who
require a little financial help. The fund,
which is administered by the Medical
Center Chaplains, helps meet immediate
financial needs. Royce, Tyler & April Corum
Pictured, left: April & Jackson Corum