News and Stories

The True Stories of CareFree

A Translation of Compassion

Jose, a 20-year old young man walked into Care Free with a pounding headache that had plagued him for months. He did not speak English, but through an interpreter at the clinic he explained his symptoms to a caring provider. An MRI identified Jose with a malignant brain tumor. Without any insurance, the diagnosis was only the beginning of the battle to save his life. The Care Free team of providers sought out their medical colleagues to give Jose a chance at survival. Jose’s story is similar to that of many other patients diagnosed with cancer since Care Free opened its doors nearly four years ago. Without Care Free, these patients, including Jose, might not be here today to tell their stories of determination and courage.

A Dental Story

The pastor of a local church in the Lansing area called the clinic after hearing about the medical care being provided to the community. He wanted to know how his church could help. Within days, a volunteer crew came to the clinic with tools and paint brushes to tackle repairs and remodeling. Thomas was one of the volunteers. As he proudly showed off the freshly painted walls he built with his own hands, his smile showed a mouth desperately in need of dental care. The lead volunteer dentist at the clinic knew exactly how to thank Thomas for his hard work. Thomas now shows off a beautiful smile thanks to the free dental care provided by the Care Free team. More than 1,000 local residents are currently on the waiting list at Care Free Dental for free or inexpensive dental treatment.
 

Beyond our Community

Care Free Founder Barry Saltman, MD remembers the first patient he diagnosed with cancer at the clinic. Jerry and his fiancée came to the clinic and were hesitant at first to share Jerry’s symptoms. He gradually explained the groin pain he was experiencing…which led to a diagnosis of a malignant mass in his genitals. With compassion indicative of the clinic’s healthcare providers, Dr. Saltman led Jerry through the maze of treatment options, which included multiple surgeries, a bone marrow transplant and visits to U of M. After three years, Jerry is now on a path to recovery. If not for Care free, Jerry may never have been connected to his current providers and might not have such a positive prognosis for his future.

 A Holistic Approach to Care

Stepheni came to the clinic with chronic back pain and symptoms of depression. While young in age, she already had experienced a lifetime of hardship. After being sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend, she ran away from home at age 13. Stepheni explained that living on the streets was tough, but at least “no one ever abused me there.” Stepheni cleaned bathrooms at a gas station in exchange for being allowed to sleep there. Care Free connected Stepheni with a pain management specialist who helped alleviate her physical back pain, but that was only one piece of her anguish. Supporting her three-year-old daughter was a greater challenge than her physical ailments. As a clinic that cares for the entire person, Care Free helped Stepheni with clothing and holiday gifts for her daughter as well and gave her hope for a fresh new start to her life.

Caring for the First to the Last

Anna was very first patient to walk through the doors of Care free Medical. Dealing with a dermatological itch, Anna had scratched her skin raw until it bled. An exam uncovered a simple allergic reaction to an over-the-counter medicine she was taking. Within two weeks of visiting Care Free, Anna was itch-free and her skin was recovering. A lack of insurance and poor access to quality care leaves many patients like Anna with nowhere to turn for chronic conditions and diseases. Care Free has fulfilled this need for more than 4,000 people since opening its doors.