Our Mission: WNC Health Advocates exists to offer comfort and support to people with illness and disability to new mothers and to families, and to advocate for access to quality health care for all.

Meet our inspiration: 
Mike Danforth was the son of  our founder, Leslie Boyd. He was a student, restaurant worker and volunteer. He was also uninsurable because a birth defect is a pre-existing condition. That condition left him vulnerable to colon cancer, but because he was uninsured, he couldn't get the colonoscopies he needed. As a result, his cancer was Stage 3 before it was diagnosed.
Still, Mike continued to find humor, even in his illness. He called himself an egomaniac with self-esteem issues. He continued to volunteer through his 12-step program, helping people into recovery from addiction. Although, he saved many lives, no one could save his. He died on April 1, 2008. He was 33 years old.
It is in his memory and in his spirit of generosity that we work to help people from whom others might turn away, to educate the public about our health care system and to advocate for access to quality health care for all.

All of our services are free.  

We depend on your donations to help people in need. Please consider a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.

Events

Our programs

Patient Pals & Family friends volunteer training

On Feb. 21, we will offer our free volunteer training for Patient Pals & Family Friends. The three-hour training includes information on active listening, how to deal with anger, stress and frustration and more.
We ask our volunteers to offer one hour a week or more to a person with illness or disability. Most of the people we serve are alone and isolated, and often have depression. Having someone to talk to often lifts their spirits and helps them become better advocates for themselves. They become more self-assured and active.
Volunteers keep in touch by phone and activities include in-person visits, lunches, picnics, walks in public parks and more. It's up to you and your Pal.
Please consider becoming a volunteer. For information, call 828-243-6712.

Patient Pals & Family Friends
WNC Health Advocates has a peer support program for people with one or more serious or chronic medical issues or disabilities. 
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week.
Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding, too.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail leslie@wnchealthadvocates.org

Eat at Mike's, annually, in early November
This is our biggest party of the year, a community potluck with favorite dishes by area chefs and restaurants, plus a silent auction with items by local artists and crafters and from local businesses.
New this year is a raffle featuring a "date night" basket and more.

This year's event is 5-8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11, in the Fellowship Hall of First Congregational Church, 20 Oak St., downtown Asheville.
Tickets are by a minimum donation of $20 each. To reserve your place, call 828-243-6712 or e-mail leslie@wnchealthadvocates.org. Tickets also are available at the Downtown Market, 45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville.
Sponsored by Mission Health System; Broker & Hamrick, PA; Tropical Gardens Mini-Golf.

 Michael T. Danforth Community Service Award
In June 2011, we gave out first Michael T. Danforth Community Service Award to Joe Eblen, a longtime community activist whose Eblen Charities has helped thousands of people get medical care, transportation, medications, heat for their homes, Christmas gifts and much, much more.
Joe also served as a coach and game official for decades. Here, his daughter, Jennie, accepts the award on Joe's behalf.
Who should receive the award this year? Nominate someone by e-mailing leslie@wnchealthadvocates,org.

Start From Seed
Start from Seed  is a volunteer doula program aimed at providing non-medical, comprehensive support to low income, high-risk women and families of Buncombe County. 

Doulas, or birth coaches, help to reduce complications and to ensure that mother and baby are bonding properly. Our moms are referred to us by the Buncombe County Health Department, free clinics and  more. Our new mothers have many needs. If you can help them with baby clothes and supplies, e-mail chelsea@startfromseed.org

True Stories
True Stories is our education program. We tell the stories of people's journeys through our health care system and we talk about the new Affordable Care Act, what it means to consumers and what does -- and doesn't -- do.  We sort out the myths and the facts and we tell people what their rights are under the new law, much of which is already in effect.
Did you know your insurance company has to pay for your flu shot in full?  Do you know what screening tests must be covered in full by your insurance company under the law?  Call us to learn more.
We offer answers to your questions by phone or e-mail, and we have a PowerPoint presentation.
For more information, call 828-243-6712 or e-mail leslie@wnchealthadvocates.org. 

Dance like there's Nobody Watching
Coming in April, our annual dance where you are free to just move however you feel. No one cares because we're all there to just have fun.
The dance features live music by local bands and was inspired by Mike's love of music and his total inability to dance.
Look for more details the first of the year and plan to be there.

True Stories
We tell true stories of people in our health care system, and of how the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) will affect you and your family. 
The presentation is followed by a Q & A session, and a chance for people to tell their own stories.

Would you like some information in the new law? Please feel free to let us know. The presentation is free. 

For information, call 828-243-6712 or e-mail leslie@wnchealthadvocates.org.
WNC Health Advocates, Physical address:70 Woodfin Place, Suite 230, Asheville, NC 28801; Mailing address: PO Box 1213, Asheville, NC, 28802
e-mail leslie@wnchealthadvocates.org or chelsea@startfromseed.org. 
Telephone: 828-243-6712.