Imagine suffering from a chronic illness but having no insurance to help pay for expensive treatment and medications.  Without experiencing such circumstances, it is difficult to understand the sense of helplessness they bring about.  Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma and a host of other diseases take a heavy toll not only on the physical well-being of their victims but on their financial and mental health as well.

Bradley Free Clinic has provided free medical care since 1974 for low-income, uninsured families in the Roanoke Valley.  The care is made possible by financial and in-kind donations and the unpaid efforts of professional and lay volunteers. Their work keeps administrative costs down, thereby allowing the clinic to apply a larger proportion of donations to medications and other supplies.  Every dollar donated results in $4 worth of direct care for patients.  Since its inception, the clinic has provided medical and dental care and medicines valued at more than $50 million.