The Bright-Well Employee Support Fund was established in 2020 to provide financial assistance specifically for IU Health and IU School of Medicine employees whose work supports the mission of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.
All employees who work within the IUSCCC — including both IU and IU Health employees — are eligible to receive support from the Bright-Well Fund. Awards are limited to a maximum of $2,500.
Brittany Brightwell was a working mom with a singular purpose — to help others for as long as she could. In that capacity, she epitomized the spirit and commitment to service of all IUSCCC employees.
In 2019, IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center staff member Brittney Brightwell was diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer. She had been working for the IUSCCC for nearly a decade, first as a medical assistant, then later as a clinical assistant where she had more opportunities to interact with patients and their families.
For many patients, Brittney was a smiling face at the IUSCCC door. It was Brittney with whom many patients had their first contact. It was Brittney who secured the records and made sure that the multiple doctors’ schedules were aligned and that laboratory tests would be ready for each visit. And it was Brittney whom patients asked to see before they left those scary initial appointments, just so they could meet the woman with the caring voice who played an important part in trying to make them well again.
Despite several hospitalizations and even as her health declined, Brittney continued to work. Dr. Patrick Loehrer recalled walking out of the hospital with Brittney a short time before she passed away. Though she was deeply jaundiced, she still had her trademark bright smile. Brittney told him that she was still working but had signed up for hospice. She was a working mom with a singular purpose—to help others, for as long as she could. In that capacity, she epitomized the spirit and commitment to the service of all the IUSCCC employees. Brittney was just 31 when she died on Jan. 11, 2020.
The halls of the IUSCCC are filled with stories of many remarkable people on both sides of the examination tables who seek to make all lives a bit more “bright” and all patients “well.” While physicians receive many accolades, the often-forgotten groups are the administrative staff, medical assistants, social workers, nurses, fellows, and other researchers. These wonderful women and men give so much to others, and from time to time, face personal financial stress outside of their control.
With this in mind, Pat and Debi Loehrer have worked with both the IU Health Foundation and the IU Foundation to establish the Bright-Well Fund to provide financial assistance specifically for the IU Health and IU School of Medicine employees who make up the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. This need is especially amplified with the current pandemic, but there is little doubt that needs will persist for months and years to come.
All employees who work within the IUSCCC—including both IU and IU Health employees — are eligible to receive support from the Bright-Well Fund. Awards are limited to a maximum of $2,500.
Funds will be awarded to offset the impact of emergent or unexpected events that cause a burden on the applicant, such as:
Expenses that may qualify for relief include:
The review process for awards and the distribution of awards is entirely confidential and will be managed by IUSCCC social workers and human resources representatives. Please click on the appropriate application form below.
If you would like to join the Loehrers and our faculty in supporting our employees, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to the Bright-Well Fund.
Please make checks payable to IU Foundation/Bright-Well Fund and mail to:
IU Foundation
PO Box 7072
Indianapolis, IN 46207
