Reading Time: 3 minutes Organizations that Help Cancer Patients Financially after Cancer Treatment
It has almost been 4 years since I found out I had with breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy, reconstruction, and 4 rounds of chemo. My last chemotherapy infusion was on December 31, 2009. Unfortunately, the medical bills continue to come in and I’m having a hard time finding financial assistance for breast cancer patients after treatment, so I have been looking for organizations that help cancer patients financially.
Breast Cancer Financial Help After Treatment – Where is the money for cancer patients?
We need financial help for breast cancer patients and other cancer patients
What a lot of people don’t realize is that doctors appointments, medications, and tests do not stop after treatment. First, I started out with check-ups every 3 months. Now, I’m on a 6-month schedule. Because of the chemo, I now have to deal with peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Since I am BRCA 1 positive I need additional tests and scans and a hysterectomy is in my near future.
Also not realized are the increases in medical insurance rates. My husband is self-employed and our only option for medical insurance COBRA, which costs $1300/month. Since I am a breast cancer survivor I would not qualify for private insurance, or at least they wouldn’t cover pre-existing conditions. I cannot afford to take that risk.
Right now, I have $1326.59 in medical bills that I owe just for check-ups and scans in the last few months. I’ve been trying to find some financial assistance to help with some of my current bills. I want to know where is the money for cancer patients?
Luckily I was able to find some free stuff for cancer patients. So, I put together this post, discounts for cancer patients and free stuff for cancer patients.
Cherie, the inventor of Heal in Comfort, also gives many of the post-mastectomy shirts away to both local and national breast cancer patients.
Foundations and Organizations that are not helping cancer patients after treatment (currently)
If you too are a breast cancer survivor looking for financial assistance after cancer treatment, I will help save you some time. Here is the list of organizations I have tried already that are not currently helping out breast cancer patients financially after treatment.
Breast Cancer Resource Center, Austin, Texas – only helps patients during treatment.
CancerCare Patient Assistance Foundation – no funds for breast cancer
Texas Wings – only patients currently in treatment
Chronic Disease Fund – full, no new applications
The HealthWell Foundation – no breast cancer funds
Patient Access Network – only cover chemo medication
Patient Services Incorporated – only cover costs of MRI
American Cancer Society – no financial assistance after treatment
Assistance Fund – no funding available
The Care Communities – only for those currently in treatment
Co-pay Relief – only covers medications during treatment
Rachel is an Austin blogger, educator, mom, wife, young breast cancer survivor writing about health, saving money, and living a happy life in Austin, Texas.
Rachel has written for HuffPost and Hometalk and has been featured on KXAN, Studio 512, Fox 7 Austin, and CBS Austin.