Financial Support for Cancer Patients

Dr. Randi Shayne, Director of Patient Services, and I are pleased to share this brief update highlighting ten financially-challenged patients who contacted us last fall from all over the country.  We have been privileged to serve these individuals through a generous gift from the Kelly Hefflin Foundation.  We hope that the foundation will consider renewing its grant — and we hope that all of our readers will contribute as well — so that we can extend our much-needed and potentially life-saving help to thousands of needy patients. DONATE NOW!

NE (Swarthmore, PA) – We have been working with this woman, age 46, since 9/11/13. She had a double mastectomy with lots of complications for invasive breast cancer. Her mother, husband and son all have mental health issues. She cannot work because of her caregiver role, has no source of support, and is under major financial stress.

AF (Ellington, CT) – We have been working with this woman, age 57, since 9/18/13. She has stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to her lungs.  She has a 16 year old child with severe ADD and has major financial issues.

PS (Minneapolis, MN) – We have been working with this woman, age 61, since 9/19/13. She was caretaker for her husband, who died eight years ago of kidney cancer.  Now she has breast cancer, is retired, and has spent her entire 401K.

AK (Jupiter, FL) – We have been working with this woman, age 54, since 9/25/13. She has ovarian cancer.  An immigrant from Africa, she lacks a support system, cannot find employment, and has major financial stress.

AA (Havertown, PA) – We have been working with this man, age 48, since 9/25/13. He has pancreatic cancer that has spread to his liver. He lost his mother, also to pancreatic cancer, and lives with his 85 year old father because he has no source of income.

EP (Kingston, MA) – We have been working with this woman, age 41, since 9/25/13. She has an inoperable grade 2 astrocytoma.  She has seizures, takes many medications, her family is not supportive, and she has lots of financial stress.

LD (New Haven, CT) – We have been working with this woman, age 65, since 9/30/13. She has stage 3 colon cancer, had surgery and chemo before, but now her disease has spread.  Every female relative of hers died of cancer, she has no family support, is on disability and cannot afford to donate.

SF (Oakland, CA) – We have been working with this woman, age 60, since 10/16/13. She is undergoing treatment for stage 3 invasive breast cancer.  She lives alone with her dog, her private tutoring business is dwindling, and she is financially stressed.

OF (Manhattan, KS) – We have been working with this woman, age 54, since 10/19/13. She is taking chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer that has spread to her bones. Despite her illness and treatments, she still has to work 40 hours per week to keep her insurance.  She left her support system behind when they moved, her husband is not working and they are financially stressed.

CZ (West Chester, PA) – We have been working with this woman, age 78, since 11/11/13. She has recurrent ovarian cancer. After seven hours of surgery and 20 rounds of chemo, she remained disease-free for only 10 months before her relapse. She is divorced, retired, and has very limited funds.

These are such sad cases, and I know our donors are heartened to be able to be of support to these unfortunate people. Please help us continue to be of service to these and others! If you have made a contribution in the past, I hope you will consider renewing your generous support. If you have never donated before, please  DONATE NOW! Thank you!  

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