For over half a century, Health Brigade—formerly the Fan Free Clinic—has been Richmond’s quiet, unshakable healthcare safety net. No glitz, no glamour, no trophies on the wall. Just care for anyone who walks through their doors, no questions asked. But now, they’re reaching out. An email landed in our inbox the other day—direct, urgent, and honest. They need help. The community’s help. To keep doing the kind of work that doesn’t make headlines but saves lives. And if they’re asking, you know it’s serious. We’re here to spread the word.
Demand is Exploding. Support Isn’t.
Here’s the hard truth: the world hasn’t been kind to places like Health Brigade in recent years. The COVID pandemic? A wrecking ball. The opioid epidemic? A relentless storm. Toss in economic pressures, and suddenly, the cost of keeping the doors open has soared by 35%. Meanwhile, funding? Flatlined—or worse, disappeared altogether.
The state, despite boasting a $1.2 billion surplus, has pulled back crucial funding. Let that sink in. While crises like HIV, Hepatitis C, and opioid addiction continue to devastate communities, Richmond’s safety net clinic is being left to fend for itself.
Why It Matters: This Isn’t Just Healthcare
This isn’t about routine doctor’s visits. Health Brigade does the kind of work that keeps people alive and keeps communities together.
They were pioneers during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s when nobody else dared to show up. Today, they’re on the front lines of harm reduction, running the state’s largest program to prevent overdoses and disease transmission. Clean needles. Narcan. Fentanyl test strips. Stuff that makes the difference between life and death for 3,000 people a year.
And let’s not forget the HIV testing, mental health services, and compassionate care for Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community. They’re not just plugging gaps in the system—they are the system for many who have nowhere else to turn.
The Cost of Turning Away
Here’s the thing about cutting services like these: the ripple effects are devastating. Every case of HIV they prevent saves the system $750,000 over the patient’s lifetime. But it’s not just numbers. It’s people. It’s the person who gets clean because they had access to care. The family that doesn’t lose someone to an overdose. Without Health Brigade, Richmond loses more than a clinic. It loses a piece of its soul.
It’s Time to Step Up
Health Brigade is used to fighting uphill battles. But this one? They can’t do it alone. This is where we come in. Donations—big or small—are the fuel that keeps their lifesaving work going. Richmond isn’t just a city; it’s a community. And part of that community is being there for the people who hold it together. That’s what Health Brigade does. Now, it’s our turn.
Visit healthbrigade.org/donate. Help them keep fighting. Help them keep showing up for our community.
