Dear Friends and Family,

 

This Sunday, I will be biking for a great cause, Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington. BCGW supports patients and caregivers in our community. They run a house across the street from NIH and stock 4 Bikur Cholim Hospital Pantries.

 

I've know that BCGW was an incredible organization but (Thank G-d) never personally needed their services until last week. The Monday evening before Judah was supposed to start school he got a terrible migraine. The pain was awful and nothing helped: not any OTC meds nor the migraine meds our pediatrician prescribed.

 

After Judah's eye swelled shut, a trip to the ER, a diagnosis of a sinus infection (which was causing all of this trouble), and more days of pain, we ended up admitted to Shady Grove hospital on Friday night...definitely not the Shabbat we had planned.

 

The nurses told me about the Kosher Pantry (which is stocked by BCGW) and it was incredibly helpful while we were there. There were snacks, drinks, and meals for anyone who needed them, along with items that one would need for Jewish rituals (grape juice for kiddush, etc.).

 

Thankfully Judah was discharged on Monday morning and he is fully healed. But I couldn't stop thinking about those who have much longer hospital stays and how much more of an impact BCGW would have on them.

 

BCGW pays medical bills, sends thousands of meals, provides transportation and offers wraparound support to chronically and critically ill members of our community.

 

Everyone knows that if they are in need of extra assistance, they can reach out to BCGW and their amazing staff and crew of volunteers will be on the case right away. They do so much on a lean budget but they need our help to keep providing the high level of services we need and have come to rely on.

 

On Sunday, I am biking 10 miles to raise money for BCGW. Please consider supporting my ride (any amount is appreciated!) so that we can all make sure that all who need their services can get them.

 

With love and appreciation, Elana