Boston, MA, Mar. 21, 2024— Family Reach today announced it is among the awardees across the United States that received a grant from Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity, which mobilizes financial resources for organizations focused on non-clinical interventions that affect a person’s health. Commonly known as the social determinants of health, these factors include an individual’s physical, social, political, cultural, and economic environment.

“This latest round of more than $7 million in grants, made possible by generous support from MacKenzie Scott, the AbbVie Foundation, and Eli Lilly and Company, is the most recent infusion of funding for organizations deeply committed in eliminating health disparities and improving healthcare quality in their communities”, said Dr. Byron Scott, Direct Relief COO and Co-Chair of the Fund for Health Equity. “Direct Relief is proud to support and grateful for the work they do every day.” 

Family Reach received $150,000 from the Fund for Health Equity for its work in Philadelphia, a city experiencing some of the highest rates of poverty and cancer mortality among members of the Black patient community. Family Reach’s on-site pilot program places a staff member in Philadelphia treatment centers to build trust with patients, quickly identify those in need, and increase equitable access to financial support.

“Last year, we helped over 500 people with cancer meet their basic needs — food, housing, and transportation — through our Philadelphia pilot,” shared Carla Tardif, Family Reach CEO. “The support from Direct Relief will allow us to continue this work and improve health outcomes for the most underserved communities.”

The awardees were selected by the Fund for Health Equity’s Advisory Council, which includes the following members:

• Co-Chair Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA, 18th US Surgeon General of the United States, Founder Bayou Clinic, Inc.

• Co-Chair Byron Scott, MD, MBA, Direct Relief COO

• Martha Dawson, DNP, MSN, RN, FACHE, President and CEO President of the National Black Nurses Association, Associate Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

• Jane Delgado, Ph.D., MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health

• Gail Small, JD, Head Chief Woman, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe

“We are pleased to support the essential work of Family Reach and other grassroots organizations striving to reduce disparities and increase equity in vulnerable populations across the United States,” said Dr. Byron Scott, MD, MBA, Co-Chair of the Fund for Health Equity and COO of Direct Relief. “It is a privilege to promote and support these organizations that are deeply connected to the communities they serve, know best what their patients and communities need, and the most effective means of providing it.”