Hope Strengthens Foundation was founded by long-time friends James Fahey and Jacob Ferreira in response to their efforts to support a mutual friend, Joe Merry, during his long battle with and recovery from cancer. Joe was empowered by a simple yet compelling motto: Hope Strengthens. His family and friends drew strength from it, too, rallying around him to form a powerful community of support. Seeing a need to raise money, they organized a fundraiser to help cover his expenses while he was out of work so he could have the peace-of-mind necessary to focus on recovery. Their collective efforts paid off and today Joe is in remission and cancer-free. But while this battle may have been won, the mission is not over. There is work still to be done. Hope Strengthens Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides critical financial support to individuals and families facing life-threatening illness, disability, or are recovering from traumatic injuries. We seek to positively change the lives of those facing hardship as a result of their illness, disability, or injury. Our assistance programs include financial support to pay medical expenses, purchase specialized equipment to assist in recovery, and to cover other expenses directly related to medical care. But our work doesn’t stop there. We’re also seeking to effect long-term change and assist in the training of future healthcare professionals who may not have the financial resources to successfully complete their educations. To accomplish this, we have established scholarship programs with the University of New Hampshire College of Health and Human Services and Northeastern University | Bouvé College of Nursing to support students with an expressed financial need who are pursuing a career in healthcare.