It’s a sad reality that healthcare systems across the world can’t fulfil all the medical needs of patients, sometimes not even the bare necessities. So Cerner stepped in to create a foundation that families could turn to in times of need.

For what insurance does not cover, the First Hand Foundation supplies medicine, therapy, surgery, wheelchairs, hearing aids, portable oxygen systems and everything in between, significantly improving the lives of children across America and some third world countries.

By giving access to a certain level of care, the First Hand Foundation gives the greatest gift of all – allowing kids to be kids, in spite of the serious medical conditions they face.

“We get to allow these children an opportunity to be happy and smile and laugh and go on about life, and not be defined by a disease, a condition, an illness, or a lack of function. They just get to run and play and smile. And that’s above and beyond the absolute best thing about what First Hand is able to do.”

In one special case, a little girl named Amenah was flown from her home in Iraq to the United States for a lifesaving surgery that fixed a serious problem with her heart. Amenah’s face would turn a healthy pink colour to a deep blue, indicating to Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Jarrad that she needed urgent medical care. Doctors in America would soon discover that not only was her heart upside down, it was also backwards. The First Hand Foundation was able to provide surgery and transportation for Amenah to have her heart fixed.

To see more on First Hand Foundation, watch this video.