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Rosie sees Dr. Woodward at the Mission for management of her high blood pressure.

Rosie was in so much pain that she could not hold back the tears.

She knew she had high blood pressure and knew it could make her feel this way, but she had no money for the medication she needed. When the pain escalated to the point she could not ignore it, Rosie walked one block to the hospital with her 8-year-old granddaughter by her side and a 2-year-old on her hip.

After receiving the care she needed at Hendrick’s Trauma Center, Rosie was referred to the Mission for follow-up care. Now she sees Dr. Woodward on a regular basis so he may assess how the medication that he has prescribed is working.

“My husband works odd jobs around town to support me and our granddaughter,” Rosie said. “If not for the Mission, I don’t know where I’d go, other than the E.R.”

Javier was referred to the Mission for follow-up care after being diagnosed with diabetes at the Trauma Center.

Eight months ago 21-year-old Javier found himself in the hospital with heart failure and no insurance. It was during that time that he learned he also has diabetes and was referred to the Mission for follow-up care.

“I really needed the help,” he said. “I can’t afford $95 for a bottle of insulin.”

Javier works just under 40 hours a week at Wal-Mart and won’t be eligible for full-time hours or benefits such as health insurance until he’s been an employee there for a year.

“I don’t make much money,” he said, “and my bills take all my money.”

Javier actually has been prescribed two kinds of insulin, which when combined with the cost of syringes, total more than $200 each month. At the Mission, Javier is able to order a three-month’s supply of each kind of insulin for $3 per prescription, and he’s not shy about telling his friends and co-workers about the help he receives at the clinic.

“I tell other people that the Mission can help them, too,” he said. “If not for this clinic, I think I’d be in a coma right now because I wouldn’t be able to get the insulin I need.”

Rosa saves hundreds of dollars each month on medication through the Mission's Prescription Assistance Program.

Rosa moved to Abilene from Dallas six months ago to take care of her mother, who is disabled. Rosa had been struggling to manage her diabetes, so her sister-in-law suggested that she seek care at the Medical Care Mission.

“I don’t know where I would have gone otherwise,” she said. “I guess, the hospital.”

Five months later, Rosa is feeling much better after regular appointments to check her progress and to adjust her medication. One reason she’s able to take her medication regularly is the Prescription Assistance Program that the Mission offers.

“It saves me two or three hundred dollars a month for the medication I take for diabetes and arthritis,” she says. “I would not be able to afford the prescriptions otherwise.”

Rosa says she freely tells her family and friends about the Mission.

“I tell people, ‘I feel better,’” she said, “‘and, they treat me right here.’”