Dear Friend,

Each morning I jump into my car and drive to work or go shopping or even drive to the occasional doctor’s appointment. More often than not, I take the independence to come and go as I please for granted.

However, I never forget that transportation is essential to all of us. Sometimes it's a luxury, other times a necessity…and other times it's a matter of life and death.

At Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES), we regularly help individuals who, without transportation, would suffer immeasurably—and even die.

How can transportation be so critical? Many local elders reach out to us when they can't find any other way to get to dialysis appointments or chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Without the crucial link of transportation, frail and disabled elders would be forced to miss these sometimes lifesaving appointments.

As you know, transportation is expensive. But, it's impossible to put a price on the services it allows elders to receive. And, that's why we need your help. Any donation you make will help ensure that another elder safely gets to a medical appointment.

Please let me take a moment and share with you several stories of how your past contributions have helped elders.

• Mr. R is from Malden. Kidney disease requires him to have dialysis every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Mr. R's elderly spouse can't drive. Uncertain of how he would go to his critical appointments, Mr. R called MVES. We were able to arrange transportation through a local taxi service.

• Mrs. L is a lifelong resident of Medford. She has a serious heart condition that requires specialized treatment in Boston. Unfortunately, appointments for this treatment can't be scheduled far in advance—Mrs. L only finds out one day before she has to go. MVES was the only organization in the area that could find her transportation on such short notice.

• Mr. D lives in Stoneham. He was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of colon cancer. Mr. D's wife suffers from Alzheimer's Disease and can't drive. He has no other family in the area. Because of his medical condition, Mr. D needed radiation therapy every day for six weeks at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. MVES was able to provide transportation to his appointments.

• Mrs. E has lived in Everett for the last 30 years. Her only family is an elderly sister who can no longer drive. Mrs. E suffers from renal failure and must go to dialysis three times a week. She had been getting to her appointments by taxi until she was hospitalized with pneumonia and a staph infection. After being discharged, she was very weak and needed to use a wheelchair. No longer able to take a taxi to her dialysis appointments, she sought help from MVES. We were able to coordinate transportation in a wheel chair-accessible van.

These four examples are just that—examples of people in dire need of transportation. Without your past gifts, sadly, these elders' health may have worsened dramatically simply because they couldn't get to medical appointments. But, you prevented that from happening.

Given our country's current economic downturn, I recognize this is a difficult time for many to give as generously as they may have in the past. However, I still ask you for a gift because I know the immediate need that your generosity will fill. Your gift of $25, $50, or $100 will save lives. It's that important.

MVES has been helping elders, families, and caregivers for many years. Through your support, we will continue to help those who need help the most. With your gift, we will help elders remain safely in their homes. We will provide nutritional meals for those who can no longer cook. And, we will provide transportation to medical appointments.

While I am fortunate enough to be able to drive myself, I realize that many others need our help every now and then. I am grateful that MVES can provide such transportation to elders in our area. And, I am thankful to you for helping us continue this vital service.

Sincerely,

Daniel J. O'Leary
Executive Director

To make an donation, please contact Jenny Vanasse at 781-324-7705.