When the family-owned business Karen worked for went out of business in May, she did what any 59-year-old woman with two daughters at home would do: She went looking for another job.

Karen got on unemployment to make ends meet until she found a job at a car dealership, but soon found out the company wanted her to work a 60-hour week that included Saturdays. Karen’s 20-year-old daughter, Katie, has autism and cerebral palsy and requires constant supervision. It just wasn’t possible.

Only first names are being used in this article to protect the family’s privacy.

Because she had gone back to work for a week, she would not be eligible for unemployment for another three weeks. Karen needed help. She went to Tri-Lakes Cares to meet with Executive Director Judith Pettibone.

“She immediately gave me food and gave me a gas voucher and reassured me to not worry about anything. They’d take care of my utility bill,” Karen said.

Tri-Lakes Cares is one of 14 local charities receiving donations from The Gazette-El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund.

Karen was still looking for a full-time job that could accommodate her daughter’s needs when unemployment kicked in again. Though the family was struggling, things were looking up. But no one could have predicted what happened next.

Late one night, Karen woke up with cramping in her lower abdomen. She was bleeding, although she hadn’t had a menstrual cycle in four years. Without health insurance, she didn’t know if she’d be able to go to the hospital.

“Even though I couldn’t afford to go to the doctor, this one time I said, I’m going to go, because it really scared me,” Karen said. So she paid $80 to visit her doctor, who told her there was a chance she could have cervical cancer, and they would need to run some tests.

Karen met with Pettibone again, who connected her with the coordinator at the Penrose Community Hospital. Karen found out that some tests could be waived, which was a relief.

A week later, Karen was rushed to the emergency room for an eight-hour stay and $7,000 worth of charges — further complications from her undiagnosed medical problem.

Again, Tri-Lakes Cares was there. Officials found that Karen’s ER costs could be covered by the Colorado Indigent Care Program and that the Colorado Women’s Cancer Control Initiative would pay for a Pap smear and a mammogram.

Said Karen, “I’m so grateful there are places like Tri-Lakes Cares to help you out when you need it.”

DETAILS

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to The Gazette-El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund, send a check payable to Empty Stocking Fund to P.O. Box 400, Colorado Springs, CO 80901. Donate online at gazette.com or www.coloradosprings.com. by clicking on the Empty Stocking Fund link. Credit card or stock donations can also be made by phone, 476-1673. Donations to the Empty Stocking Fund will be accepted until Jan. 18.