FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Cancer Financial Assistance Programs in the Triangle
The journey to overcoming cancer is a full-time job that requires physical and emotional energy and support. While you are going through this challenging time, the road to recovery can sometimes become difficult due to healthcare costs and financial realities. There is good news for the uninsured or the underinsured. Cancer financial support programs and networks are available to help you address the financial impact of your diagnosis so that you can focus on your road to recovery.
Explore these cancer financial support resources to see if any are a good fit for your needs:
Patient Advocate Foundation/Co-Pay Relief
855-824-7941
866-512-3861
Patient Advocate Foundation has a Co-Pay Relief Program that helps insured patients through direct financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs such as prescriptions or treatments. This national nonprofit is 100% donor funded, and its application process is streamlined as much as possible for patients, providers and pharmacies.
21st Century CARE
239-938-9301
21st Century C.A.R.E. was originally established in 1996 in Asheville, NC, by a patient who bequeathed a large donation to provide cancer education for the community. A nonprofit that provides financial assistance for incidental expenses related to active cancer treatments, 21st Century C.A.R.E. often covers costs for transportation, childcare during treatment, follow-up visits for cancer care, temporary housing and more. Patients must apply online.
The Caring Community Foundation, Inc.
www.caringcommunityfoundation.org
The Caring Community Foundation has been serving cancer patients in the Triangle for over 15 years. This 501(c)(3) charitable organization supports cancer patients in need by providing financial assistance with treatment costs, utilities, rent or other basic needs during the course of cancer treatment. Grants are only issued for patients referred through its Social Worker Network.
CancerCare
800-813-4673
CancerCare® is a national organization that provides free support services such as counseling, educational workshops, support groups and financial assistance to people affected by cancer. Its Financial Assistance Program assists with transportation, child care, home care and other treatment-related costs. Its Co-Payment Assistance Foundation offsets insurance co-payments to help with the cost of treatment.
CancerCare also offers a searchable, online database called “A Helping Hand” at www.cancercare.org/helpinghand. This is a great tool for cancer patients to search for up-to-date contact information for hundreds of organizations that can offer financial support. You can search by type of assistance, zip code and diagnosis.
Cancer in the Family Relief Fund
www.cancerfamilyrelieffund.org/
The Cancer in the Family Relief Fund has a mission is to support children in their time of need, and work towards a greater good. Extracurricular activities are critical during a family’s time of crisis. They attempt to provide some normalcy to a child while his or her parent is focusing on treatment and recovery. Whether a family is experiencing a financial crisis resulting from a diagnosis, or they just need some extra funds for “luxuries” because every extra dollar is going to medication costs… they want to help. CFRF wants to encourage and facilitate each child’s passion whether it be sports, music, art or any other activity.
Pretty in Pink Foundation
www.prettyinpinkfoundation.org
919-532-0532
The Pretty in Pink Foundation is an organization that assists uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients in North Carolina with financial support for quality, life-saving medical treatment. The organization funds patients needs through donations, fundraising, sponsorship and pledge drives.
Triage Cancer
Triage Cancer also works to address cancer-related health disparities through the delivery of cancer-related education and collaborative education and cancer advocacy efforts. By educating and advocating we ensure that those diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers are empowered to find their best path forward, beyond diagnosis.
Good Days
Good Days gives financial support to patients who cannot afford the treatment they need. This charity also connects patients with additional information and support resources. All funding is secured from donors, and Good Days pledges that more than 91.6 cents of each dollar goes directly to patients.
HealthWell Foundation
The HealthWell Foundation’s goal is to improve access to healthcare for America’s underinsured. The nonprofit fills the health insurance gap by assisting with premiums, copays, deductibles, travel costs and out-of-pocket expenses. Since 2004, HealthWell has helped more than 320,000 patients afford necessary treatments and medications.
The Assistance Fund
The Assistance Fund is an independent charitable patient assistance organization that helps patients and families facing high medical out-of-pocket costs by providing financial assistance for their copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other health-related expenses.
National Organization for Rare Diseases
Since 1987, NORD has provided assistance programs to help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford. These programs provide medication, financial assistance with insurance premiums and co-pays, diagnostic testing assistance, and travel assistance for clinical trials or consultation with disease specialists.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is committed to providing information, resources and support to those affected by blood cancers. At the LLS, advocacy is in our blood. We are a vibrant community of researchers, volunteers, philanthropists, advocates, healthcare professionals, and nonprofit leaders.
Patient Access Network Foundation
The PAN Foundation is an independent, national 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to helping federally and commercially insured people living with life-threatening, chronic and rare diseases with the out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed medications.
Family Reach
Family Reach is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between a cancer patient and their treatment. Loss of income, out-of-pocket expenses, and socioeconomic factors create disparities in the financial burdens families face. Family Reach delivers financial education, financial planning, resource navigation, and emergency relief funds to patients and caregivers facing a cancer diagnosis so no family has to choose between their health and their home.
Patient Services Incorporated
PSI understands firsthand the pain and hardship that chronic illness can cause. That’s why our founder, Dr. Dana Kuhn, shaped and pioneered the very first non-profit patient assistance model in 1989, to help those struggling with the financial burden of fighting a chronic illness. Dr. Kuhn has since retired, but his passion for patient assistance lives on through the continued work of PSI.
Angel Wheels
800-768-0238
Angel Wheels™ is a charity organization that assists with non-emergency, long-distance ground transportation for patients traveling out of town for treatment. Providing gas cards, bus tickets or trains tickets for travel, Angel Wheels typically covers trips that do not exceed 300 miles (one-way). Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.
Needy Meds
NeedyMeds is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit that connects people to programs that will help them afford their medications and other healthcare costs. NeedyMeds achieves its mission by providing information on healthcare programs, offering direct assistance and facilitating programs.
Alliance for Fertility Preservation
https://www.allianceforfertilitypreservation.org/
The Alliance for Fertility Preservation is a 501c3 charitable organization. The Alliance is made up of a team of professionals who have chosen to join together to advance the field of fertility preservation. Our members are recognized leaders with expertise in all aspects of fertility preservation including, oncology, reproductive endocrinology, urology, psychology, oncology nursing, and reproductive law.
Team Maggie’s Dream
https://www.teammaggieforacure.org/
Team Maggie’s purpose is to provide financial assistance to young women and men for the purpose of preserving eggs and sperm. The Team Maggie for a Cure Grant is available to uninsured/underinsured residents in the USA who are receiving treatment for cancer. Participants are required to complete an application form and provide the necessary documentation of financial needs and medical treatment.
More cancer financial support resources
For more information and resources to help cover cancer treatment costs, visit PatientResource.com and Need Help Paying for Bills. These websites contain additional listings of financial resources that can help patients with cancer cover a range of needs.
On a parting note, we’d like to thank our amazing patients and community organizations who contributed to this resource list. Your feedback is invaluable and helps others during their journey to recovery.
If you’d like to share a new resource that we haven’t mentioned here, please contact Luminita Castillos at Personalized Hematology-Oncology. Learn more about cancer treatment and gene-targeting cancer therapy at our practice.
