At 58 years old, Gloria Luna has a story of resilience and gratitude. A resident of Avondale, Gloria first learned about Mission of Mercy (MOM) in 2011 through a friend who recommended the clinic. Since then, MOM has become an essential part of her health journey, providing her with the care she couldn\u2019t otherwise afford.<\/p>\n
Overcoming Health Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n Diagnosed with diabetes 25 years ago, Gloria\u2019s condition was once difficult to manage. Her A1c level \u2014 a key measure of blood sugar control \u2014 was at 10.9 in 2018. Through MOM\u2019s compassionate care and resources, including nutrition classes and medication support, Gloria\u2019s A1c has steadily improved to an impressive 6.4 as of late last year. Additionally, her blood pressure is now well-controlled, and she has lost 15 pounds by embracing a healthier lifestyle.<\/p>\n A key part of Gloria\u2019s transformation is her dedication to Zumba. She exercises for an hour a day, four days a week, incorporating hand weights into her routine. \u201cIt helps all my muscles,\u201d Gloria shares. \u201cEven if it\u2019s just light weights, it helps me.\u201d<\/p>\n Compassionate Care Beyond Medicine<\/strong><\/p>\n What stands out most to Gloria is the kindness of MOM\u2019s volunteer doctors and nurses. \u201cThey help everybody. They don\u2019t ask about insurance or money. They just treat you,\u201d she says. Among the many doctors she\u2019s grateful for is Dr. Barlow, who has helped with her diabetes and hypertension, and Dr. Harper, who provided relief for a painful shoulder issue.<\/p>\n Gratitude is central to Gloria\u2019s life. She frequently brings homemade food to the clinic as a way to thank the staff. One of her specialties is a prickly pear cactus salad made with fresh ingredients from her backyard. \u201cIt\u2019s my way to say thank you,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n A Lifeline for Many<\/strong><\/p>\n For Gloria, MOM is more than a clinic \u2014 it\u2019s a lifeline. Without MOM\u2019s help, the cost of medications like Rybelsus for her diabetes would be unaffordable, exceeding $1,000 per month. Thanks to MOM, Gloria receives the care and medications she needs to thrive.<\/p>\n When asked what she\u2019d tell others about MOM, Gloria\u2019s message is clear: \u201cGo there and make an appointment. They will help you.\u201d She also has a heartfelt message for the clinic\u2019s volunteers: \u201cThey are the best doctors I know.\u201d<\/p>\n Gloria\u2019s story is a testament to the transformative power of accessible, compassionate healthcare. Mission of Mercy has not only helped her reclaim her health but also reaffirmed her faith in the kindness of others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At 58 years old, Gloria Luna has a story of resilience and gratitude. A resident of Avondale, Gloria first learned about Mission of Mercy (MOM) in 2011 through a friend who recommended the clinic. Since then, MOM has become an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":11569,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,1,26,174,58],"tags":[76,310,309,311,124,312,313],"class_list":["post-11549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-mission-of-mercy-arizona-dignity-digest","category-featured","category-homepage-blog","category-patient-story","tag-diabetes","tag-dr-harper","tag-gloria-luna","tag-gratitude","tag-hypertension","tag-prickly-pear-cactus-salad","tag-rybelsus","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"yoast_head":"\n