"You have brain cancer.”

When Ms. Andrea Hill got this news late last year, she called the one person who was always there for her: Health Care for the Homeless Peer Advocate Ry-Keara Bates

Ry had worked with Ms. Hill to navigate the grueling process of finding a home the year before and built up a strong rapport. “Ms. Hill was so adamant about her housing, healing – everything,” Ry explained. “Even when a few places fell through, she never gave up.” And the same is true with her cancer diagnosis.

Never one for self-pity, Ms. Hill takes on her radiation treatments the same way she’s approached other hurdles in life – with courage and a little help from Ry. “Sometimes I feel like I’m a walking miracle,” Ms. Hill reflects. “If I could get through all the substance use and living in a shelter, I can get through this. When you go out into the world, you have to be fearless.”

Now, instead of wondering where she’ll sleep or how to store her medications, Ms. Hill has a stable home where she can focus on her health and recovery.

After each appointment, she calls Ry to check in, comes home to the apartment she picked out in a neighborhood she loves and lays down in her bed to rest.

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