Phil’s Story

In 2014, after years of living with untreated diabetes and high blood pressure because he couldn’t afford regular healthcare, Phil experienced a serious medical emergency. A doctor in the ER recommended Bethesda Clinic, and that recommendation changed the course of his life.

Today, Phil receives two types of insulin and several other medications that help manage his diabetes and heart condition. If he had to pay retail prices, those medications would cost approximately $3,000 every month.

“Without Bethesda, I really don’t think I would be here,” Phil says.

Because of you, Phil receives the medications, lab work, and ongoing care he needs to manage his health. When he first came to Bethesda, his A1C was 11.4. Today, it is 5.9.

Those numbers tell an important story—but so does Phil’s quality of life. Thanks to consistent care, he is healthier, stronger, and able to continue doing the work he loves.

“You don’t realize how much stress you’re under from not being able to afford healthcare,” Phil says.

Thanks to you, Phil can focus on running his business as a local barber and enjoying life instead of worrying about how he’ll pay for medications, lab work, and doctor’s visits.