Angel Fund Brings Heavenly Relief for Families

Angel Fund donors help families who must travel for a child’s medical treatment. To be an “angel,” return the enclosed giving envelope or donate online at Benefis.org/Give.

Sofia was just 3 years old when she was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation that triggers epilepsy, along with learning disabilities, speech impediments, and a host of other issues.

“It’s hard to find help for seizures and epilepsy in Montana,” said Josh Garcia, Sofia’s father. “It has been a long road for Sofia.”

Then came the opportunity for Sofia to receive a vagus nerve stimulation device, a pacemaker-like implant that helps interrupt the brain activity that’s the precursor to a seizure. Wrestling with big decisions and figuring out how to cover the more than 500 miles of travel from home in Havre to the operating room, Josh and Sofia’s mother, Sarah, were scrambling to find help when they learned about Benefis Foundation’s Angel Fund.

Angel Fund provides families with grants to help cover expenses such as fuel and lodging when a child’s medical treatment requires travel. Because of donors’ generosity since the fund’s founding in 1997, families such as the Garcias have a lifeline in their moments of greatest need.

Last year, Angel Fund donors helped 58 families with nearly $50,000 in travel assistance. The need has only grown this year as fuel costs rise.

The Garcias put the Angel Fund grant toward fuel, lodging, and food, “Which was a big help during a really difficult time,” Josh said.

“Angel Fund got us where we needed to go, and we want to say thank you to the donors who make it possible,” Josh said. “Hopefully this surgery will help her carry on with her life. As one journey ends and the next one begins, we are so grateful for the financial help to get to this treatment.”

Sofia is 6 now. She’s imaginative and loves dancing and tumbling.

“She’s a princess through and through,” Josh said. “She is a loving sister and likes to play with her with dogs, too.”

Josh hopes the implant will allow Sofia to wean off some of the medications she’s on and, most importantly, expand her possibilities.

“It is very difficult to take this health journey and to make decisions when you don’t know if they’re the right ones or the wrong ones. With every decision, you worry about what effect it will have on her future and her condition,” Josh said. “Our hope is that Sofia will get to live a seizure-free life, to grow up, and to be able to do the things that other children get to do.”