Supporting Her: A Guide to Organizations Providing Financial Aid & Resources to Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors
Learn about organizations that offer financial support and resources for breast cancer survivors in this comprehensive guide.
Marquita Goodluck is Keep A Breast’s Give Back Grant Program Manager and a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and underwent treatment for 5 years. Marquita is a writer and children’s book author, writing “B.K. 's Mommy Has Breast Cancer” to aid children who have a parent with a cancer diagnosis to better understand and be hopeful and supportive on the breast cancer journey.
As a breast cancer patient and survivor, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate the financial implications of a breast cancer journey. From medical bills to lost income, the expenses can add up quickly. Even when insurance covers treatment, there are additional outside costs that can make fighting breast cancer feel unbearable. Issues such as co-pays, parking fees, transportation to appointments, or paying for childcare during treatment are just some of the issues breast cancer patients face.
When I was going through treatment, people would often ask me how they could help, but I never knew how to tell them what I needed because I didn't really know what I needed myself. Despite having health insurance, I underestimated the out-of-pocket expenses that accumulate while going through a breast cancer diagnosis. Like most breast cancer patients, I didn’t truly understand the many financial challenges I would face. I didn’t quite understand how much parking fees, co-pays, medical supplies, and prescriptions would impact me financially. Fortunately for me, I was able to get help from organizations like Cleaning for a Reason, the KAB Give Back Grant, and Tiger Lily's Resources and AssIstance for Support and Empowerment (R.A.I.S.E.).
During treatment, Cleaning for a Reason was a lifesaver for me. They provided me with free cleaning services for my home, which was so helpful. Through their program, I received 3 hours of free cleaning service. For three months, I could count on Cleaning for a Reason to provide cleaning services for my home. Going through treatment can be exhausting and overwhelming, and having someone come in and help me with cleaning allowed me to focus more on healing and resting. It made it so that my family and myself could still function as a family while I was fighting the hardest battle of my life.
Another resource, Tiger Lily's R.A.I.S.E., has been a platform that truly helped me with outside costs. R.A.I.S.E. provides breast cancer survivors with a platform to create a registry where family members and friends can donate to help with costs not covered by insurance. Through R.A.I.S.E., I am able to consistently receive the funds needed to attend acupuncture sessions, pay for copays, and counseling sessions. R.A.I.S.E. truly attempts to remedy the issue of breast cancer survivors needing help after treatment. This has been helpful as a breast cancer survivor because although I have completed treatment, the needs for a survivor matter and vary. No one can really plan for what they may need after surviving cancer and it’s great to have resources that can really be beneficial.
Keep A Breast’s Give Back Grant (GBG), is another financial resource that has helped me. By receiving a grant from the GBG program, I was able to use the funds to pay for outside medical expenses. This helped to alleviate so much stress. What I love most about the GBG, is that it doesn’t just provide financial assistance–it also speaks to the soul of a breast cancer survivor. Not only can the GBG be used for medical needs, but also self-care, vacation, hobbies, or a new business. The Give Back Grant aims to offer a small gift in an effort to acknowledge the hard journey that BIPOC breast cancer survivors have endured.
As I look back on my journey, I realize that the great organizations that have helped me, didn't just help me financially, but mentally and emotionally. The acknowledgement of my fight with breast cancer made me feel seen and heard. A breast cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing event that brings with it a range of physical, emotional, and financial challenges. While the physical and emotional aspects of the diagnosis can be incredibly difficult to navigate, the financial impact can be equally overwhelming. A lack of resources can make you feel alone. However, you are not alone. There are organizations out there that are willing to help.
The following organizations provide financial assistance as well as resources to help those fighting breast cancer.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS
KEEP A BREAST
The Give Back Grant Program (GBG) directly supports BIPOC women who are breast cancer survivors or have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Awards a $500 grant for BIPOC women impacted by breast cancer.
THE PINK FUND
The Pink Fund provides 90-day non-medical cost-of-living expenses on behalf of breast cancer patients in active treatment, so they can focus on healing, raising their families, and returning to the workplace.
TIGERLILY FOUNDATION
Tigerlily Foundation has partnered with WiTT Forever to establish the RAISE platform. RAISE, which stands for Resources and AssIstance for Support and Empowerment, is a platform that makes it easy for patients to get support without feeling as though they are burdening others. Patients can get customized financial assistance to help with issues that relate to them.
The Breasties
The Sydney Heersink Grant is an annual grant funded by The Breasties in honor of the life of Sydney Heersink. The grant is eligible to individuals who are suffering from a cancer diagnosis or high-risk genetic disposition to cancer. Please visit the Breasties website to view the status of the grant’s availability.
The One Catalyst Grant
One Catalyst Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing tangible support as well as medical financial assistance to those who are struggling to afford something that is needed to overcome a major medical diagnosis.
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC)
The CFAC is a group of national organizations that provide financial help to cancer patients.
American Cancer Society (ACS)
The ACS is the largest cancer organization in the United States and offers a variety of financial assistance programs, including help with copays, transportation, and lodging.
CancerCare
CancerCare offers financial assistance for copays, transportation, and other cancer-related expenses.
Pretty In Pink Foundation
Pretty In Pink Foundation provides uninsured and under-insured breast cancer patients in North Carolina with financial assistance for quality, life-saving medical treatment.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF): The PAF provides direct financial assistance to patients with cancer and other chronic diseases.
Susan G. Komen
Susan G. Komen is a breast cancer organization that offers financial assistance to breast cancer patients.
The Gift of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation
The Gift of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is dedicated to providing financial support to women in need during their course of treatment. Provide support by paying monthly bills such as electricity, gas, phone, and groceries.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC)
LBBC is a national organization that provides support and resources to breast cancer survivors and their families. They also offer financial assistance to patients.
Sisters Network Inc.
Sisters Network Inc. is a national organization that provides support through their Breast Cancer Assistance Program and resources to African American women with breast cancer. They also offer financial assistance to patients.
Cancer Care
Cancer Care is a national organization that provides emotional and financial support to people with cancer and their families. They offer financial assistance for copays, transportation, and other cancer-related expenses.
Unite for her
Unite for Her, a nonprofit that supports breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients, offers several wellness programs, including a wellness and service “passport” at no cost to breast cancer patients, whether you are currently diagnosed and undergoing treatment, living with metastatic breast cancer, or are a survivor.
FERTILITY RESOURCE
The Chick Mission
The Chick Mission’s Hope Grant Program supports newly diagnosed female patients choosing to preserve fertility options ahead of treatment.
SUPPORT FOR KIDS
PICKLES GROUP
Pickles Group provides programming for kids and teenagers who have a caregiver affected by cancer. Through games, art activities and discussions, Pickles teaches children and teens to learn, share and connect with other kids while helping them feel supported through their experience.
MEDICATION ASSISTANCE
Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT)
MAT helps patients who lack prescription drug insurance coverage obtain the medications they need.
TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE
Thank God It’s Natural Foundation (TGIN)
The TGIN Foundation provides affordable and reliable transportation through their partnership with LYFT for those needing to get to breast cancer appointments.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS
Project31
Project31 offers financial scholarships for survivors, as well as their families, to attend professional counseling. One-on-one mentoring relationships are also available to those who would benefit from having someone walk with them through their personal battle with breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Assistance Fund
Breast Cancer Assistance Fund is an organization with a mission to help women who are dealing with stress and anxiety of a breast cancer diagnosis and are in need of financial and emotional support.
MENTOR SUPPORT
AFTER BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS
After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) matches patients with professionally-trained Mentors/breast cancer survivors who not only share similar diagnoses and treatment, but whose age, life stage and interests align with their mentees.
BREAST CANCER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
Genevieve’s Helping Hands
Genevieve’s Helping Hands’ Recovery Grants award stay grants that extend and enhance recovery from any type of breast cancer treatment, including before, during, and after treatment, including reconstruction.
National Lymphedema Network
The National Lymphedema Network proudly offers complimentary, medically necessary compression garments to people with lymphedema who experience financial hardship.
BREAST CANCER SELF-CARE RESOURCES
Fight Through Flights, Inc.
Fight Through Flights, Inc. aims to empower and support the healing of Black women living with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors by providing free wellness retreats and travel experiences as well as mental health, nutrition and fitness resources.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be overwhelming, but there are many organizations that can provide you with support, resources and guidance. This is the best time to learn how to navigate and advocate for yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for help or seek out information. Remember that every little bit of support adds up, no matter how small the grant or resource may seem. You are strong, and you can get through this. Always remember, you got this!
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