First Hand Foundation

First Hand Foundation is sponsored by First Hand Foundation. First Hand Foundation provides funding for items that will improve the quality of life for a person with disabilities but which may not be covered by health insurance. They also can provide financial relief for medical bills.

Homepage - First Hand Foundation Filling Gaps in Children’s Access to Health care First Hand Foundation’s pediatric medical grants provide vital financial assistance to uninsured or underinsured children so they receive the essential care they need.

We help families afford critical medical expenses—covering surgeries, prescriptions, medical equipment, and travel costs—ensuring children have access to timely, life-changing treatment that improves their health and quality of life. At First Hand Foundation, we believe in the power of compassion and action.

Through strategic partnerships and with the support of donors, volunteers, and advocates, we transform generosity into life-changing outcomes. Together, we make a difference—one child at a time. children are uninsured in the U.S. How we help those families First Hand Foundation’s pediatric medical grant program helps bridge the gap in health care for children who are uninsured or underinsured.

We provide financial assistance for essential medical needs that families might otherwise be unable to afford—such as surgeries, prescriptions, medical equipment, and travel costs related to care. By covering these critical expenses, we ensure that children receive timely, necessary treatment that can improve their health and quality of life.

We work to ease the burden on families and make health care more accessible—so kids can focus on being kids, not patients. First Hand Foundation was born from Jeanne Patterson’s unwavering belief that every child deserves access to essential medical care, regardless of circumstance. “It’s all about knowing what’s the right thing to do,” she said.

Learn more about the First Hand Foundation founders. Due to lack of access to surgical care, children are suffering and dying each day from surgically treatable conditions. World Pediatrics addresses the various barriers preventing children from accessing the surgeries that can change and often save their lives.

It is partners like First Hand Foundation that help bring hope and healing to the children needing it most. Like us, they believe that every child deserves the opportunity to survive and thrive. And through our partnership, MANY more children will receive that lifeline to the care they need and deserve.

Senior Program Director, World Pediatrics At First Hand Foundation, impact is more than a mission—it’s measurable. Through our three primary grant categories—clinical care, medical equipment, and travel assistance—we’ve delivered tangible support to thousands of children and families in need.

This section breaks down the data behind our work, highlighting how each grant type plays a vital role in improving access to healthcare and closing critical gaps in coverage. The heart of our work lies not just in the numbers, but in the relationships we’ve built along the way.

We’re proud to collaborate with hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations who share our commitment to helping children access the care they need. Here’s what some of our partners have to say about the impact of working together—and the lives we’ve touched through that shared mission. Vorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

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Vorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Etiam eu turpis molestie, dictum est a, mattis tellus. Real Families.

Real Impact. Every grant represents a child, a family, and a story of resilience and hope. At the heart of First Hand Foundation’s mission are the children, parents, and caregivers who face medical challenges with unwavering strength, love, and determination.

At just 3 years old, Saul has endured a stem cell transplant, ongoing therapies, and countless hospital visits. Because of First Hand, his family has support for the many trips that keep him healthy and moving forward with joy. Jocelyn’s medical challenges mean she needs extra support to stay safe each day.

Because of First Hand, she now has technology that gives her caregivers peace of mind and helps protect her well-being. At just 4 years old, Jeremiah faced constant sickness and weight loss from complex health challenges. Because of First Hand, he’s now receiving life-changing surgeries and the chance to step back into childhood joy.

At 8 years old, Jolene lives with Sanfilippo Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that weakens her muscles and coordination. Because of First Hand, she now has an adaptive tricycle that builds strength, balance, and lets her join in safe, age-appropriate play. By donating and volunteering with First Hand Foundation, you become part of a mission that delivers hope and healing to families navigating serious health care challenges.