BY JOY PRUDEK

The Palmer Family has established the Gretchen Palmer Patient Assistance Fund through the St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation to assist patients in need.

The Gretchen Palmer Patient Assistance Fund will support Wood River Valley patients fighting cancer and other serious illnesses. Many patients experience financial challenges while receiving the medical care they need.  Even with health insurance, most people have numerous out-of-pocket costs.

“Gretchen’s Fund” will assist patients and their immediate families with expenses such as transportation, lodging, utilities, groceries, medications, medical supplies, and other items deemed necessary. “The assistance provided by the Gretchen Palmer Patient Assistance Fund will help ease the stress of patients and families facing medical challenges and give them the ability to focus on their health and well-being,” said Megan Tanous, Chief Development Officer for St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation.

Terry Palmer said his family was anxious to pay it forward in honor of their wife and mother: “Cancer is a terrible disease. Any, and all help we can provide to cancer victims and their families, is exactly what Gretchen would want. We, as a family, know that Gretchen is looking down upon us, and hoping that we can help other families in need.”

Palmer added that his wife of 39 years was “Saintly Special.”

“Her heart and spirit were open and pure. Gretchen was respected and loved by all, in Sun Valley and beyond. She is missed by all. She was tough as nails and would like nothing better than to pay it forward. We appreciate any and all the support needed to make ‘Gretchen’s Fund’ a meaningful contribution to relieve some of the burden that cancer patients and families may face.”

To learn more and to donate to the Gretchen Palmer Patient Assistance Fund, visit https://www.slwrf.org/gretchen-palmer-patient-assistance-fund/ or contact Betsy Mullins at mullinse@slhs.org or (208) 727-8419.