Close Ad

Teacher With Cancer Loses Work Benefits, Colleagues Step In With Incredible Solution
Teacher Carol Clark
Uplifting News

Teacher With Cancer Loses Work Benefits, Colleagues Step In With Incredible Solution

A teacher with cancer was put back on her feet thanks to the generosity of colleagues.

Medical bills are the opposite of the American dream-- they can be the American nightmare. Often, when someone gets seriously ill, they have to sacrifice their job and put all of their money into getting better. That is a very stressful situation for someone who is already facing a life or death situation.

17 year ordeal

Carol Clark, a sixth grade teach in California, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. Luckily, she was able to overcome the life threatening illness, but at a very high cost. In order to attend her doctor’s appointments, surgeries, and chemotherapy, she had to use 17 years worth of sick time and vacation days. She was hospitalized after an adverse reaction to chemo, and because of the hospitalization she also lost her summer pay in addition to her medical insurance and other salary benefits. Like many people, her family counted on those things to make ends meet. 


Husband to the rescue 

Carol’s husband Dave, also a teacher at Jaime Escalante Elementary School, did some digging and found the Catastrophic Illness Donation Program, which allows for other teachers to donate sick leave to peers in situations like Carol’s. Dave organized a donation drive and was able to raise an astounding 154 vacation days both from teachers who were close to Carol, and from ones she had never even met. This wonderful gift, representing almost an entire school year’s worth of sick days, meant that Carol could recover salary and benefits that were lost, as well as bank some for any future appointments and surgeries that might be required.

An amazing community

Carol’s faith in humanity was restored when she got this beautiful gift from those around her. Their generosity touched her heart and opened her eyes to the possibility of good in this world. People who have had experiences like this make the next teachers for our youth. Not only can they teach practical subjects like math and science, but they can also teach optimism and compassion-- two things the world desperately needs.

More uplifting stories:

Compassion Changes Lives
“Give Compassion: Every day the average person fights epic battles never told just to survive.” – Ken Poirot

Hot Stories

Why Jennifer Hudson Forgave Her Mother's Killer -- Life Stories By Goalcast

At the peak of her career, Jennifer Hudson faced a horrific family tragedy. Hudson's mother and brother were brutally attacked in their family home, and her seven-year-old nephew was kidnapped. What followed was a heart-wrenching manhunt to rescue her nephew and seek justice against the man who took her family. Hudson speaks from the heart in this video on what happened to her family and how she was able to move forward.

Celebrities
People smiling in unison united
Racism Quotes

Racism is considered the marginalization and/or oppression of people of color based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges another race. The term is applied in many areas of a society that perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race or strengthen racial inequalities in education, health care, income, and civil rights.

Ever since the 20th century, the concept of biological race is considered a cultural invention that has no scientific basis. The progress over the past half-century has been impressive, but the nation still has a long way to go to reach true racial equality.

Keep ReadingShow less
Everyday Heroes
Lots of Dollar Bills

Save what you have to double what you make.

Everyone talks about money -- some because they don’t have enough, some wish to make more, and some are simply obsessed with it. It has always been this way, but nowadays, making money seems to be the main goal on everyone’s 'to do' list.

We’ve never had so many options when it comes to products, technology and services, and salesmen constantly try to convince us that we need them all to live a happier and easier life. But do we?

Keep ReadingShow less
Authors