May 21, 2009

Dear Supporter,

If you don’t know me, then you know many women just like me. We work at your favorite cafés and restaurants; we go to your local community college; we are your friends, neighbors, sisters, and mothers. Perhaps you are one of us. We are the 1.5 million working women in California with no health insurance.

Before I found the Women’s Community Clinic, I had no way of accessing health care. As a waitress, I have never had job-based health insurance or the funds to afford to pay out-of-pocket. As one of the millions of Americans who falls through the health care insurance cracks, I felt I had only one option: don’t get sick.

Generally, this plan worked: I stayed healthy and was able to avoid the medical system. But a few years ago, I developed some health concerns and had no idea what to do. By chance, I had a coworker who volunteered at the Clinic and she persuaded me to make an appointment.

I was amazed by my first visit to the Women’s Community Clinic. Here was health care for women like me that was unlike anything I could have ever imagined. I was given the time and the privacy to fully discuss all of my health concerns with health workers and clinicians who listened and respected me. Being a client at the Women’s Community Clinic has changed me from being someone who procrastinated about my health to someone who is proactive about my health and getting my needs met.

My experience at the Clinic was so inspiring that I became a volunteer and a donor. I am proud to contribute what I can to ensure more Bay Area women can access the Clinic’s vital services.

I write today to ask you do to the same. Your donation will do more than just provide health care services to those in need: it will also help women like me become advocates for their own health and well-being.

Thank you,

Katie Joy
Client and health worker volunteer

Donate now!