The Rob Branham Foundation
  • Home
  • Who we are
  • Services
  • Cancer
  • Treatments
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Get Involved

Financial Resources

1/31/2020

3 Comments

 
The stress of fighting a blood cancer is high enough for any patient and family; to face financial stress due to the patient or a caregiver at home not being able to work makes it harder on everyone in the family.  Read through the list below to find organizations that provide direct financial assistance for a variety of purposes for blood cancer patients.

Amy's Angels - provides comprehensive short and long-term assistance to individuals and their families dealing with the debilitating effects of serious illness or injury.  Recommendation of a social worker, doctor, or nurse is required.

Ann’s Place Fund – help for families dealing with any type of cancer (CT and eastern NY state), including counseling, support groups, and help with financial issues.

B+ Foundation - Provides financial assistance and emotional support to families with a child fighting cancer.

Brainard Fund – Administered through the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, this fund provides financial assistance to families who are in financial distress due to substantial medical bills from a serious or chronic illness.  Serves families only in 29 towns in the greater Hartford region.

CancerCare Financial Assistance – co-payments for chemotherapy and medications; transportation; home care; child care (funding areas may change)

Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation - provides financial assistance for rent or utilities to families in which the cancer patient is a child; distributes gifts to children in hospitals; provides funding for a camp experience for children in remission.  Application must be made through a hospital social worker.

Children’s Leukemia Research Association -  leukemia-related medical bills listed under Covered Treatments and Services

Circle of Care - provides financial assistance for living expenses such as rent or mortgage, utilities, and transportation to families in which the cancer patient is a child.  Applications must be made through a hospital social worker; applicants must be receiving treatment at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, CT Children’s Medical Center, or must be a CT resident who is receiving treatment in another state.

Connecticut Cancer Foundation – financial assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, transportation, medications, etc.; reference by hospital social worker needed

Free Government Cell Phones – government Lifeline Assistance Program that gives free cell phones and free monthly service (including talk and text minutes) to those in need

Friends of Karen – families in which cancer patient is a child; assistance with childcare reimbursement, travel reimbursement, hospital lodging, co-payments for illness-related items, and household expenses; limited to certain counties in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York

Healing Meals Community Project – prepares and delivers organic meals for individuals and families (greater Hartford, CT) dealing with a health crisis

Healthwell Foundation – Helps to close the gap for underinsured patients by providing financial assistance to help with prescription co-pays; health insurance premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance; travel costs for treatment; and pediatric treatment costs.

HelpHOPELive – provides one-on-one fundraising help, bill pay support, and additional benefits based on our nonprofit status.

Joe Andruzzi Foundation - financial and emotional assistance to families in New England, New York, and New Jersey; financial assistance is designed to help families cover basic living expenses, such as mortgage, rent, electricity, gas, oil, telephone, cable, or other similar expenses

Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia Research - Medical Assistance program helps defray costs of treatment for blood cancers not covered by insurance; Life Assistance Program helps defray costs of non-medical expenses families face due to the treatment of a blood cancer.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Co-Pay Assistance Program – insurance premiums and co-pay obligations

Life Beyond Cancer - Information and links to programs that assist with paying bills not covered by health insurance.

Lymphoma Research Foundation Transportation Financial Assistance - provides financial assistance to T-cell lymphoma patients who are uninsured or have adequate medical insurance but struggle to pay for transportation costs (e.g., mileage, parking, tolls, gas, train tickets, etc.) to get to and from treatment.

Modest Needs -  for families who are working but living just above poverty level, and are generally ineligible for most other types of social service assistance

Needy Meds - information resource devoted to helping people in need find assistance programs to help them afford their medications and costs related to health care.  Also offers a free drug discount card that may help patient obtain a substantially lower price on medications; card can be used instead of insurance or by anyone without insurance. 

Novartis Patient Assistance Program  -  assistance paying for Novartis medications

Patient Access Network – support for patients that cannot access the treatments needed due to out-of-pocket health care costs.

Patient Advocate Foundation / National Financial Resource Directory – searchable database of possible financial resources.  Patient Advocate Foundation - serves as an active liaison between the patient and their insurer, employer or creditors to resolve insurance, job discrimination or debt crisis matters related to their diagnosis.  Special program offers financial assistance to lymphoma patients who need help with co-pays for drugs that treat lymphoma, anemia, and neutropenia.  Call Counselors assist patients with application process. Patients may receive up to $4,000 per year. Funds are limited, become available on the first of each month; patients may be reimbursed for previous expenses up to one year from grant award date.

Pinky Swear Foundation -  provides financial assistance for living expenses such as rent or mortgage, groceries, mortgage, car repairs, childcare, etc. to families in which the cancer patient is a child.   Applications can be made by the family or through the healthcare provider; application is available online.

The Bone Marrow Foundation - costs associated with transplants, such as donor searches, compatibility testing, bone marrow harvesting, medications, home and child care services, medical equipment, transportation, cord blood banking and housing; assistance with fundraising

The Jane Lloyd Fund – day to day living expenses; limited to residents of Connecticut towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Salisbury and Sharon

The Shannon Mosher Memorial Foundation – (for leukemia patients) expenses not covered by insurance

The Susan Fund - provides educational scholarships to students who live in Fairfield County, CT and are diagnosed with cancer

Town That Cares (West Hartford residents only) - Emergency funds may be offered for paying utility bills, rent, or medical expenses. Other resources include free food, shelter, and information on government benefits such as food stamps. Town That Cares is located at 50 South Main Street, West Hartford, Connecticut, dial 860-561-7561.

Weber Foundation of Helping Hands – families in dire need; limited to Northeast US

YouCaring - provides personal fundraising pages and fundraising coaching to help people raise money for out-of-pocket medical expenses including co-pays, travel and living expenses

Zichron Schlome Refuah  – assistance in a variety of areas, including medical expenses, housekeepers, mortgage/rent/utilities, insurance, transportation, vitamin therapy, and wigs


3 Comments

treatment Resource Links

2/12/2018

0 Comments

 
The Leukemia Society
Information about treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant, as well as clinical trials      
          
National Cancer Institute
Contains information written in two formats, one for patients and one for health care professionals

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Information about the treatment of all types of leukemias 

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women's Cancer Center

Information about the treatment of all types of leukemias:
         Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
         Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
         Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
         Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Information about radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, biotherapy & immunotherapy, as well as complementary and alternative medicines.

OncoLink
Basic information about clinical trials.

Clinical Trials
0 Comments

Support Resource Links

2/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
List of frequently asked questions from patients and families.

National Cancer Institute
Information about aftercare, including link to a booklet "Life After Cancer Treatment."

Be The Match (National Marrow Donor Program)
"Role of the transplant caregiver" describes what a caregiver should expect in his/her role, how the role changes over time, and what the caregiver can do to advocate for the patient. 

A Guide for Caregivers
Published by staff at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Finding financial assistance
Links to organizations that have a financial assistance program for  patients and families.

Cancer Support Community
Ten tips for cancer caregivers that will help them take care of themselves while caring for someone with cancer.

0 Comments

Family Support

11/1/2017

0 Comments

 
While a patient is undergoing treatment, it so often happens that many other things around the house go on the back burner, since treatment requires so much time and energy from the family as a whole.  This is where friends and colleagues can step in and do many ‘little things’ that reduce the family’s stress and help them maintain some degree of normalcy in life.
  • Offer to organize a “transportation pool” - setting up a schedule of who will drive when, so the family knows it will be handled. This is one less detail they have to worry about.
  • Provide child care for other children at home when needed. Offer to call other friends of the family and organize a child care schedule.
  • If other children are at home, offer to drive them to lessons, sports events, or other activities they usually go to, so that they don't miss out on their usual routines.
  • Offer to go grocery shopping for the family, clean the house, do laundry, mow the lawn, take care of pets, or any of the numerous small things that are associated with running a household.
  • Prepare meals for the family; whether you freeze them so the family has a convenient “heat-'em-and-eat-'em" meal, or deliver them hot and ready to eat is always appreciated.
  • Offer to run errands for the family.
  • If the patient is in the hospital for any length of time, and the adult(s) in the house spend long days with him/her, pack a lunch or healthy snack for the adult.
  • When appropriate, offer to drive children to the hospital to visit the patient.
  • Offer to setup a - “patient up-date” - web site or through social media (facebook/twitter) phone tree so the family has to contact only one person, rather than several, to keep everyone informed of the patient's progress.
  • Make a video with friends and family, in which everyone records a special message for the patient; deliver it to the family or directly to the patient, if allowed.
  • Find out what kinds of gifts the hospital will allow the patient to receive so you can ensure friends and family are sending the patient something special on a regular basis
  • Organize a fund-raising event to help the family pay expenses not covered by insurance, or to compensate for lost income.
  • Conduct research for the family to find other sources of financial assistance.
  • Offer to organize a home 'wash-down' before the patient comes home from the hospital, following guidelines set by the hospital medical team. This will ensure a clean and safe environment.
  • When appropriate, do something special for the spouse/partner of the patient to help him/her reduce stress. For example, take him/her out to dinner, arrange for a massage, or take an hour and go for a long walk outdoors.
  • While your flower garden is at full bloom, create a bouquet of flowers to deliver to the patient’s family to show them you’re thinking of them.  
  • Connect with the family’s church, synagogue, or other house of worship.  Religious communities are great sources for support for a family, and members will often volunteer to help fill in the gaps to meet the family’s needs.  
  • Find out what restaurants, coffee shops, etc. are in or near the treatment center the patient will go to, then take up a collection among friends, neighbors, or co-workers and buy gift cards the family can use while with the patient at the treatment center.
  • Holidays can be especially stressful for a family with a patient fighting blood cancer.  Get neighbors, friends, and/or co-workers together to create holiday food baskets, helpful gifts, funny videos, etc. to brighten the holidays for the family.
0 Comments

Cancer Diagnosis

10/2/2017

0 Comments

 
Questions to ask your doctor when the diagnosis is first made:
  • How many tests support the diagnosis? Are there other tests that should be done? If so, when can they be done?
  • What is the exact name of the disease? How common is it? Does it generally strike one group of people more than another?
  • How slowly or quickly does the disease progress? If there are different stages of the disease, what stage am I in now?
  • How will the disease affect my ability to do the things I routinely do each day?
  • What can or should I tell family members or friends that they need to know right now?
  • Where should I go for information about my disease?
0 Comments

Cancer Treatment Options

9/4/2017

1 Comment

 
Questions about cancer treatment options:
  • What immediate treatment do you recommend for me?
  • Are there options available to me for short-term treatment? If so, what are they? How do they compare? If you recommend one treatment over another, why is that?
  • What will that treatment aim to do to the disease?
  • What types of side effects might I experience from the treatment?  What can I do to minimize any negative side effects?
  • What kind of cycle or schedule of treatment will I follow?
  • Where will I receive the treatment?  Are there options for where I can go so that I’m as close to home as possible?
  • If I opt for treatment at a larger center that has more experience with my disease, can my treatment be coordinated with my doctor at home so I can actually receive my treatment locally whenever possible?
  • What options are available to me for long-term treatment (if needed)?
  • How will the treatment affect my ability to work, attend school, travel, or do any of the other routines of daily life?
  • What signs should I expect to see that show that the treatment is having a positive effect?
  • Are there any research studies regarding treatment for my illness that would be beneficial for me to be part of?  
  • I’ve heard that some cancers respond to immunotherapy.  What is that, and would it be an option for me?
  • Who can help me connect with others who have, or have had, the same illness I have, in order to get some emotional support?
  • If I have unexpected side effects or some other medical issue that arises, especially outside of ‘regular’ doctor office hours, who should I contact?
1 Comment

Cancer Treatment Centers

8/6/2017

1 Comment

 
Questions to ask about treatment centers:
  • How long has the treatment center been providing the recommended treatment for the disease I have?  
  • What is the success rate of the treatment center as it pertains to my disease?
  • Is this a teaching hospital or treatment center? If so, should I expect to have interns and students as part of the medical team treating me?
  • How can I compare this treatment center to others that treat the illness?
  • Does the treatment center have a social worker or other support professionals available to me and my family?
  • Where is the treatment center? Is it easy to get to?
  • Can I have a tour of the treatment center and speak with the medical staff who would provide my treatment before I decide if this is the facility I wish to go to?
  • Do I have the right to choose the treatment facility I want to be treated at?  Will my insurance cover expenses at the treatment center of my choice?
  • Is there someone at the treatment center who can help us with insurance issues?
  • Does the treatment center have a website where I can view all of the details of my medical expenses, what portion my insurance paid, etc.?
  • What other resources does the treatment center have for me and my family?
  • If my treatment center is far from my home, and I need to be in for treatment early in the day, is there an inexpensive place near the center where I can stay overnight the night before?
  • Approximately how long will I be at the treatment center?
  • How does the center decide which staff members will work with me? Will I have a primary care nurse, for example, who provides most of my daily care, with other secondary and tertiary nurses who work with him/her to continue my care?
  • How does the medical staff view my family’s participation in my treatment and recuperation?
  • Does the treatment center have a web site where I can view all of the details of my medical expenses, what portion my insurance paid, etc.?
  • If I am to be a distance from home during my treatment, are there facilities nearby where my family can stay that are inexpensive (like Ronald McDonald houses)? How can I find this out?
  • If my family comes to the center on a daily basis, is parking available at a discounted rate? What is the daily parking rate?
  • Are there inexpensive places to eat close to the treatment center for my family to use?
  • While undergoing long-term treatment, what kinds of items from home will I be permitted to have with me? What am I expected to provide?
1 Comment

Cancer Long-term CAre

7/2/2017

0 Comments

 
Questions to ask about long-term treatment at a center:

  • Approximately how long will I be at the treatment center?
  • How does the center decide which staff members will work with me? Will I have a primary care nurse, for example, who provides most of my daily care, with other secondary and tertiary nurses who work with him/her to continue my care?
  • How does the medical staff view my family s participation in my treatment and recuperation?
  • If I am to be a distance from home during my treatment, are there facilities nearby where my family can stay that are inexpensive (like Ronald McDonald houses)? How can I find this out?
  • If my family comes to the center on a daily basis, is parking available at a discounted rate? What is the daily parking rate?
  • Are there inexpensive places to eat close to the treatment center for my family to use?
  • While undergoing long-term treatment, what kinds of items from home will I be permitted to have with me? What am I expected to provide?
Questions to ask about
0 Comments

Cancer Coverage and Insurance

5/28/2017

0 Comments

 
Questions to ask about insurance coverage and issues:

  • How will I know whether or not my health insurance covers all of the procedures and medications I will need during my treatment?
  • Who will submit medical bills to my insurance provider? Am I expected to, or will the treatment center do that?
  • If the treatment center submits medical bills, will I receive a copy of what is submitted and what is paid?
  • Will I receive itemized copies of medical bills submitted?
  • Is there someone at the treatment center who can help with insurance issues and questions?
  • I am covered under both my insurance policy through my employer, and my spouse s policy through his/her employer. Who will coordinate the benefits and help us figure out which coverage will pay for which expenses?
  • I have heard that there are many expenses associated with (especially) long-term care that may not be covered by my health insurance. How can I find out what these might be? Are there other organizations I can apply to for financial assistance if I need it to help cover these expenses?
0 Comments

Other resources – health practices

5/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Cancer patients often benefit from incorporating other health practices into their lives, based on discussions with their doctors about the type of treatment they’re going through, their physical capabilities, and other physical conditions.  Many of these health practices can also help alleviate stress experienced by family members and caregivers as they care for their loved one who is undergoing treatment. Explore some of the other health practices that might provide benefits for you and your support network.

Acupuncture
National Cancer Institute – questions and answers about acupuncture and cancer

American Academy of Medical Acupuncture – article by Dr. Eugene Mak “Acupuncture in Cancer Treatment”

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center – information for patients & caregivers about how acupuncture works, its uses, possible side effects, and who should be cautious about acupuncture

Dana Farber Cancer Institute – article by Richard Saltus “Can Acupuncture Ease Cancer Symptoms?”

Very Well – “Acupuncture for Cancer Patients”

Reiki
International Association of Reiki Professionals – “How Reiki Helps Cancer Patients”

BeatCancer.org – “Reiki Healing and Cancer”

Dr. Josh Axe – “What is Reiki and Can it Really Help Cancer Patients?”

Massage
MD Anderson Center – “The Benefits of Oncology Massage”

MD Anderson Center – “Massage for Cancer Patients : 4 Tips to Find a Qualified Therapist”

Society for Oncology Massage – “Client & Patient FAQ”

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center – “Power of Touch : How Specialized Massage Helps Cancer Patients”

Cancer Council – “Types of Massage and Touch Therapies”

Very Well – “Massage Therapy for People With Cancer”

Yoga
Yoga Journal – “Facing Cancer with Courage” (benefits and personal experiences shared by people who practiced yoga to help deal with the stresses of fighting cancer)

The Guardian – “How yoga could ease cancer patients’ pain and fatigue”

Psychology Today – “Yoga and quality of life for cancer patients”

National Geographic – “New study shows yoga has healing powers”

Very Well – “Benefits of yoga for cancer patients”

Tai Chi
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – “Tai Chi”

CancerActive – “Tai Chi : the energy within”

Ying Yang House – “Tai Chi found to reduce fatigue in patients undergoing chemotherapy”

Reflexology
Dana Farber Cancer Institute - “How can reflexology help cancer patients?”

Susan G. Komen Foundation - “Reflexology”

Lymphoma News Today - “Reflexology: Lymphoma”

Mindfulness
MD Anderson Center - “How mindfulness can help cancer patients find happiness”
Cancer Network - “Mindfulness Meditation”

Cancer Research UK - “Meditation”

Positive Psychology - “MSBR: 25 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Exercises and Courses”

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    ALL
    AML
    Cancers
    CLL
    CML
    Events
    Friends Of Rob
    Glossary
    Hodgkins Lymphoma
    MDS
    MPD
    Myeloma
    Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
    Questions
    Resources
    Support
    Treatment

    Archives

    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Who we are
  • Services
  • Cancer
  • Treatments
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Get Involved