Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandler Stancliff.
So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I first started as an intern at CareBOX Program back in January of 2016. After my family and I went through what we did from my dad first getting diagnosed with Brain Cancer in the summer of 2014 and then a short 8 months later he passed. My family and I were determined to give back in some way. Helping cancer patients was what we wanted to do. We came across the ‘CareBOX Program’ 10 months after my dad passed and couldn’t have found a more perfect fit. We wished we had discovered this while my dad was sick because all of the supplies would have been so helpful. We knew first hand how expensive supplies were getting when you were having to run out every couple of days to buy something new or more of something.
I applied for an intern position in late December and was hired in early January! My mom became a volunteer CareDRIVER and volunteers and delivers the supplies directly to patients homes, she still does this today! As soon as I started, I knew this was exactly what I was supposed to be doing. I worked my way up from intern to a part time Program Assistant at CareBOX Program to then a full time position of Program Coordinator. From there, I eventually became Executive Director. I absolutely love what I do and it means so much to me because I can relate to what these patients and caregivers are going through with getting these items that we offer. They can be expensive, they can be hard to find or patients may just feel too unwell to go out and get these supplies and this program using volunteers bringing directly to their home can be so convenient for them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. The challenges we face are mainly funding. CareBOX Program is funded by individual donors, corporate donors, and foundation grants. When we don’t have these funding opportunities come through then it can be a struggle. We always manage to get through but especially when COVID hit and a bunch of foundation changed their focus for grants to “COVID relief” we lost a lot of potential funding because things were focusing on that main issue!
We’ve been impressed with CareBOX Program, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
CareBOX Program provides free essential care supplies to cancer patients in the Greater Austin area to help prevent malnutrition, infections, and injuries from falls.
Cancer has a physical, emotional, and financial impact on everyone with the disease. The CareBOX Program is an innovative Austin-based non-profit launched in October 2014 to address a serious gap in cancer care for patients in the Greater Austin area. Patients are invited to build a custom wishlist of care supplies from a list of over 40 items specific to their needs related to their diagnosis and the effects of treatment. Most insurances cover less than 80% of these items, and many barriers exist to the patient and their families that prevent access to the supplies they need. The CareBOX Program removes these barriers by providing supplies at no cost and delivering directly to the patient’s home via a network of local volunteers. With cancer treatments continuing to shift towards outpatient settings, the CareBOX Program is needed now more than ever.
CareBOXes (generally a trunk-full of supplies) include mobility items to help avoid injuries and falls, nutritional supplements to prevent malnutrition, and infection prevention supplies to defend against the contraction of complex infections. The program is open to all patients living in the Central Texas area, regardless of age, race, income, or type of cancer. The average delivery is worth $450 in supplies, and patients are invited to reapply every three months as replenishment is needed or as their needs change. Funds granted to CareBOX Program will be used to support its mission directly. Currently, the organization serves more than 2050 patients in the Central Texas community with critical care supplies delivered directly to their homes. So far, we have delivered 3,580 CareBOXes containing over $1,269,000 of supplies. Every delivery includes items to improve nutrition, hygiene, and mobility.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
“We are incredibly grateful to CareBOX for their generosity to our family and 19-month-old son, Parker, who has leukemia. They take special care of his dietary restrictions and provide high-quality nutrition drinks. We haven’t needed to purchase diapers for Parker since his cancer diagnosis. And he loves the adorable Heroic Hearts dinosaur hospital pajamas with all the snaps. We’ve been well cared for by a kind and communicative volunteer, from sign-up to delivering supplies. Thank you!” – Whitney, Parker’s Mother. Parker is 19 months old and a leukemia patient.
“We are so grateful for CareBOX and their supplies for everyday needs and essential care. Everything they give us helps in providing care for our son, Jackson, not to mention the cute Heroic Hearts Superhero pajamas! The set is adorable and functional when he’s in the hospital.” – Laura, Jackon’s Mother. Jackson is 3 years old and a Burkitt Lymphoma patient.
“CareBOX has generously provided supplies and nutrition since my recurrence and multiple surgeries. I am truly grateful for my daily Orgain shakes, items needed post-op, and personal care. The supplemental nutrition helps me manage my health and gain strength.” – Courtney, Ovarian Cancer Patient.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.careboxprogram.org
- Instagram: @careboxprogram
- Facebook: @CareBOX Program
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carebox-program
- Twitter: @CareBOXProgram
- Youtube: @careboxprogram8055
- Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/careboxprogram?utm_source=linktree_admin_share
