When it comes to healthcare, the costs can spiral out of control. Medical bills pile up quickly, and even with insurance, expenses can be staggering. But what about the hidden costs that don’t make it to your hospital invoice? Transportation expenses—be it bus fares, train tickets, or gas for your car—can add an unexpected burden. And let’s not forget about those pesky parking fees. It all adds up!
Meet Lisa Harper, a devoted mother and the co-founder of the Harper Hope Foundation, who understands this struggle all too well. She spent ten long months by her son, Max’s side in the NICU at Sunnyvale Children’s Hospital. In an interview, she shared how fortunate she felt to be there every day, but it broke her heart to see other families who couldn’t. “It was eye-opening and incredibly sad. Many families simply couldn’t make it due to the cost of getting to the hospital and parking fees,” she explained.
In larger cities, hospitals often lack their own parking facilities, forcing NICU parents to pay for whatever options are nearby. This can be a daunting surprise, especially when they are focused solely on their baby’s health. At one point, Harper realized she and her husband were shelling out nearly $2,000 just for parking in one month!
Tragically, Lisa’s son, Max, passed away just shy of his first birthday in 2014. Facing the unimaginable grief of losing a child, she felt a deep desire to honor his memory. “After his passing, I wanted to turn my sorrow into something meaningful and celebrate his life,” she told Home Insemination Kit in a heartfelt interview.
And celebrate Max’s life she did! In 2015, Lisa launched the Harper Hope Foundation, which provides free parking and transportation services for all NICU families at Sunnyvale Children’s Hospital. This initiative ensures families can spend as much time with their little ones as they need. In just three years, the foundation has successfully raised $1.5 million to cover parking costs. For her remarkable efforts, Lisa was recognized as a CNN Hero, a title that brings both pride and bittersweet memories. “It’s a mixed bag of emotions, but I feel incredibly proud of the work we’re doing,” she said.
The foundation is now leveraging this momentum to extend its reach and help even more families. They are working toward expanding their services to a nearby women’s hospital that has a NICU twice the size of their current facility. While these accomplishments aid in her healing, Lisa acknowledges that grief will always be a part of her life. “People say time heals all wounds, but my heart will be broken forever. I find healing in the time I dedicate to the foundation, which is the time I wish I could have spent with Max,” she shared.
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Summary
Lisa Harper, mourning the loss of her son Max, founded the Harper Hope Foundation to alleviate the financial burdens faced by families visiting the NICU. By offering free transportation and parking services, her nonprofit has raised $1.5 million to ensure families can be close to their babies during challenging times. Her work not only honors Max’s memory but also provides hope and support to countless other families.