RESCU Foundation, Inc

Thank You!

Thank you, each and every one of you who have ever given RESCU a few hours or even a few minutes of your time! We at RESCU are overwhelming grateful. Thank you to those who have yearly stepped forward to lead at rallies, and those that lend a hand at numerous events throughout the year. Thank you to those new folk who are eager to learn, and thank you for patience as we learn to expand. Thank you to those that have participated in our monthly conference calls, and thank you to those who still do. And of course, thank you to those that are planning to volunteer in the future, we welcome you with open arms. RESCU could not do it without all of you!

Our traditional community RESCU rally has been evolving, yet it is still the backbone of how RESCU can continue its success. Without the volunteers and amazing supporters at events and locations, RESCU would be hard-pressed to expand our programs or medical relief efforts.

Thank you!

Introducing RESCU

The RESCU Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to promote and maintain the health and medical well-being of the participants of Renaissance Faires, historical performances and other artistic events through financial assistance, advocacy, education and preventative programs.

How RESCU Helps

For 12 years, the RESCU Foundation has offered direct financial assistance and medical advocacy to festival participants. RESCU serves all participants nationwide - what show or what type of position held is never a variable for eligibility. Variables affecting the financial outcome of cases are the client’s yearly income, the type of facility, the type of provider, where it occurred, and the amount of coverage. The five person Aid Panel discusses at length the unique features of each case to arrive at a fair decision. These decisions are never easy, and are made with great care and diligence. 

RESCU can’t directly cover entire medical bills, yet has been able to show that type of success by helping connect to other programs (a little from them, a little from us). This type of networking is essential for cases involving hospital stays or procedures. When possible, RESCU empowers our clients by mentoring them to advocate for themselves, using peer guidance and encouragement for success. When a facility or provider accepts the terms of reduction, or a client is accepted into a program to reduce the cost of treatment, then RESCU has done its job.

Financial Assistance

We at RESCU are here to help. Financial assistance for your medical needs is available to you and your dependents if you have or have had a participant pass to a festival. Please fill out the Medical Aid Request Form and submit it, along with ALL PERTINENT MEDICAL BILLS, as per the instructions on the aid form. 

Advocacy

Many cases RESCU receives are not that severe. In those instances, RESCU can better help the community by assessing if a client can be empowered with a mentor to advocate for themselves. If so, Clients can learn to navigate and explore all avenues to reduce their own medical bills. These skills can be applied again as needs arise. During this process, RESCU may grant some financial relief based on the level of need. More details.

As always, RESCU will assign an advocate for those who are physically or emotionally unable to advocate for themselves. A RESCU advocate will directly contact medical providers to reach the best possible settlement. During this process, RESCU may grant some financial relief based on the level of need.

Please visit our RESCU Programs page for further information on RESCU's various educational and assistance programs.

Accomplishments

The name "RESCU" stands for: Renaissance Entertainers Services Crafters United. The pursuit of charity status was completed in 2003 and the RESCU Foundation, Inc. emerged in the spring of 2004 with a plan, a dream, and the endless energy of veteran participants of festivals.

Currently our Board of Directors allows seats for 15 members, which include actors, artisans, service workers and festival patrons dedicated to the medical health and well-being of our community. The RESCU Foundation, Inc. serves an average of 100 clients a year both with negotiating bills and financial assistance, with some cases classified as ongoing. The number of clients assisted has hit the 600 mark, which includes simple medical problems to long term cases.

To date RESCU has disbursed over $450,000 worth of medical aid, and in the last 4 years, our Advocacy Program has achieved nearly $3 million in medical bill abatement for our applicants.


(Updated 2/2015)