Who We Are
Bridging Illness to Income exists to serve individuals living with chronic illness who face financial barriers caused by unpredictable health conditions.
Chronic illness often disrupts income through missed workdays, reduced hours, medical appointments, and rising expenses. While health challenges increase, financial support systems rarely adjust. We exist to eliminate those barriers and create structured pathways toward sustainable income.
Our purpose is simple. People living with chronic illness deserve long-term financial stability.
The Problem We Address
Individuals living with chronic illness often carry financial burdens they never chose. Ongoing medical care, prescriptions, specialist visits, insurance premiums, and transportation costs create expenses many people never have to plan for.
At the same time, income becomes less predictable. Missed work, reduced hours, and limited career advancement make long-term financial stability difficult to maintain.
Higher Medical Expenses
Doctor appointments, medications, treatments, insurance premiums, and specialized care add consistent monthly costs.
Income Disruption
Flare days and medical interruptions often lead to missed work, reduced hours, or unstable earnings.
Limited Earning Potential
Career growth, promotions, and consistent full-time opportunities can become harder to maintain while managing ongoing health needs.
Our Mission
Bridging Illness to Income supports individuals living with chronic illness in building sustainable income and long-term financial stability.
Through practical financial support, income development pathways, and strategic partnerships, we help remove the barriers that health disruptions create so individuals can work, grow, and pursue meaningful careers without sacrificing their well-being.
Our Vision
We envision a future where chronic illness does not limit access to sustainable income.
A future where individuals can build careers, businesses, and financial stability without their health standing in the way.
How We Create Stability
These are the programs Bridging Illness to Income is building toward. While not all are active yet, each is designed to address a specific financial barrier faced by individuals with chronic illness as we grow.
Medical Debt Relief
Medical expenses can quickly turn into long-term financial strain. This program is designed to help reduce medical debt and stabilize individuals before it becomes overwhelming.
Home Office Equipment
Flexible work often requires proper tools. This program helps individuals access the equipment needed to build sustainable remote income.
Business Start-Up Grants
Entrepreneurship can provide flexible income opportunities. These grants help individuals launch small businesses that work with their health needs.
Reimbursement for Missed Work
When health conditions disrupt employment, income can disappear quickly. This support is designed to help offset short-term financial losses during medically necessary absences.
Founder
Kaley DeRose
Bridging Illness to Income was founded after a lifetime of witnessing how chronic illness can disrupt financial stability.
Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at two years old, Kaley experienced firsthand the financial barriers that ongoing medical care, missed opportunities, and health-related limitations can create. Over time, it became clear that the challenge was not only physical, but economic.
Before starting this organization, Kaley worked directly with individuals trying to find financial assistance and grant support. Through that experience, a consistent pattern emerged. Many people were struggling with medical expenses and income instability, but were often not eligible for support because they were not in extreme levels of debt or did not meet strict disability criteria.
This gap is what led to the creation of Bridging Illness to Income. The goal is to support individuals earlier, before financial challenges become overwhelming, including those living with chronic and invisible illnesses who may still be trying to maintain stability but are beginning to fall behind.
Join Us
Sustainable income should not depend on perfect health. Whether you want to support, sponsor, or apply, there is a place for you in building this bridge.
Donate
Help fund programs that create financial stability for individuals living with chronic illness.
Sponsor
Support financial stability programs while gaining visibility for your business through our website, social media, and events.
Apply
Explore available programs designed to reduce financial barriers and support income stability.