BRUNSWICK — The CVS Health Foundation — a private charitable organization created by CVS Health — in partnership with the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics has awarded a $20,000 grant to Brunswick’s Oasis Free Clinic to help educate and provide customized support to their patients with diabetes or prediabetes.
The CVS Health Foundation recently extended its commitment to the NAFC with $1 million in new grants. Oasis Free Clinic, 66 Baribeau Drive, is one of 49 free clinics across the country receiving funding as part of the foundation’s ongoing effort to make quality healthcare convenient and affordable for more Americans.
“The rising cost of healthcare can make finding quality and affordable care harder to come by for many Americans,” said Eileen Howard Boone, president of the CVS Health Foundation. “Through our support of the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, we’re able to increase access to quality care, improve chronic disease management and care coordination to help improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable patients and reduce health care costs in the communities we serve.”
The $20,000 grant will allow the clinic to hire a diabetes educator to provide targeted and customized support to patients who are diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes. This includes providing glucometers and other monitoring supplies to diabetic patients who cannot afford them and implementing group support sessions for patients. The clinic will also partner with a local food pantry to develop a diabetic “food kit” which will allow patients to identify and obtain free diabetes-friendly groceries.
“The CVS Health Foundation’s support of our clinic is incredibly impactful to our mission. These funds will not only benefit our patients right away, in the form of glucose test strips and other necessary items, but it will also enable us to arm our patients with the knowledge and motivation to manage their condition for the rest of their lives,” said Anita Ruff, the clinic’s executive director.
The CVS Health Foundation is a private charitable organization created by CVS Health that works to build healthier communities, enabling people of all ages to lead healthy, productive lives. The Oasis Free Clinics provide free medical, mental health and dental services, as well as prescription assistance, for uninsured, low-income residents of Freeport, Durham, Brunswick, Harpswell and Sagadahoc County. For more information, call 207-721-9277 or visit OasisFreeClinics.org.
