WSVN — She is battling cancer, then an organization promised to raise money to help her pay her medical bills. They did raise money, but they never turned it over to the cancer patient or her doctor. Legally, do they have to hand over the money? It’s why one woman called Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser.
You have heard the expression, "things happen for a reason." Faith Jones certainly believes that.
Faith Jones: "Fell and broke my leg, and if it wasn’t for that … it saved my life. The cancer weakened the bone."
Faith found out she had stage four cancer and so began the chemotherapy.
Faith Jones: "Nothing prepares you for it. Nothing."
Patrick Fraser: "You are a single mom, living in Overtown, on a disability, and cancer is tougher than that?
Faith Jones: "Cancer is tougher than that– yes."
Faith is raising her two children on her own. Life is tough for her but, like her name, Faith said she has faith that she is going to win.
Faith Jones: "Yes, I’ve already won. I’m still here. When I went in, I was stage four."
What Faith lacks is money for the 20 percent insurance co-payment for her medical treatments. Then, a foundation offered to raise money to help her.
Faith Jones: "They said that, initially, they would help with the medical bills."
The group, called the Open Arms Foundation, held a spaghetti dinner in June 2014. Channel 7 News stopped by to cover it. The fundraiser was called a success.
Faith Jones: "I want to say about $2,000."
But the doctor never got the money and neither did Faith. Over the next few months, she called the fundraising group over and over — and then gave up.
Faith Jones: "You’re too busy. Being a mom is full-time and then being a mom that’s getting treatment."
Then, Faith’s friends who donated money to help her said, "Don’t give up. Let Help Me Howard handle it."
Faith Jones: "For me, I would like for them to give me something so I can cover my 20 percent that I’m responsible for."
Well, Howard, if someone promises to raise money for you, legally, do they have to hand it over?
Howard Finkelstein: "Yes, they do. If you are going to raise money for a group or a person, in most cases, you are required to register with the state to solicit charitable contributions. This foundation was registered as a corporation but not as a group to collect charity. Therefore, they can be fined up to $5,000 and if they don’t turn the money over to Faith or her doctor, it could be a crime."
I then spoke to Tangela Bell who runs the Open Arms Foundation. Turns out her foundation was dissolved in 2015.
She says she was truly trying to help Faith — that she only raised $323 at the spaghetti dinner and she and her son chipped in their own money to get it to $500.
Bell said she thought her accountant had sent a check and she would take care of it. Then, for the next six months, I refused to give up, contacting Bell every week or two asking where the money was.
Each time there was an excuse.
Then, in January, 18 months after the fundraiser, the doctor got one money order for $100.
The this month, two money orders totaling $250. Bell told me she had sent another $150 to bring the total to $500
Faith Jones: "Feeling OK. Feeling OK."
Faith is still struggling and now has opened a Paypal account, instead of trusting someone to raise money to help her…
Faith Jones: "If you know somebody that has breast cancer or is affected by any type of cancer, it would be best if you just help them directly, instead of trusting someone with the money for some type of fundraiser."
A remarkable lady, Faith didn’t want us to feel bad for her. Instead, she felt bad that she was tearing up while we were talking to her. If you would like to help Faith Jones with her medical bills and other expenses, information for her Paypal account is below.
Battling a problem that’s draining you? Ready to come roaring back? Donate it to us. We don’t have a foundation but we have found solutions for a lot of people. With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News
To help Faith Jones, go to paypal.com, then send to fjones@spcmiami.org
CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
E-mail: helpmeHoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN
On Twitter: @helpmehoward7