Cancer Resources--FREE STUFF!

There is help out there!

Since my diagnosis, I have spent countless hours on the Internet searching for help and resources available to cancer patients.  Cancer is a tough disease, and it can be tough on your finances, appearance, and it has a domino effect on every part of your life.  I have medical insurance; but we all know insurance doesn't pay 100%.  Insurance doesn't put gas in your car to get to treatments, help you buy meals when traveling for treatments or pay the co-pays for prescriptions.  And what about that 20% your insurance doesn't cover?  Yeah, let the bills come rolling in.  Not only are you slammed with a life threatening disease that ravages your body, you can be left in financial ruin when you finally kick it.

I am a worrier and a planner by nature.  No matter how hard I try not to plan, I drive myself crazy until I try to plan for every detail of my life.  Being diagnosed with breast cancer was no different.  I suppose it's my way of coping.  When I'm faced with something that's out of my control, I look for ways to plan and control as much of it as I can.  In this process, I have found some very useful resources I would like to share with my readers.  Resources not just for financial assistance for medical bills and expenses, but free hats, scarves, trips and necessary items for the emotional well being of a patient as well as the physical and financial.

I will be adding to this as I find more so check back often.

Your Local Cancer Society--Almost every county has a Cancer Society.  Typically, these are found within the county Health Department.  Your local Cancer Society can offer support with expenses related to gas, meals, and hotel costs associated with treatments.  This is provided at no cost and is funded through grants and local donations.  Anyone with a diagnosis of cancer is eligible for these benefits regardless of income.

CoPay Relief Foundation- The CoPay Patient Advocate Foundation provides direct financial assistance to qualified patients, assisting them with prescription drug co-payments their insurance requires relative to their diagnosis.  If you think co-pays on prescriptions is too small of an amount to mess with this, think again.  Even $15 co-pays can quickly add up, and that's on a generic prescription.   All it takes is ONE prescription not in network for your insurance, and you may find yourself paying $100 or more for one prescription.  Many medications for cancer patients are quite expensive.  Do not write this off as "not a big deal".  

Look Good, Feel Better--This program can also be arranged through your local cancer society (local health department).  They provide cancer patients with free wigs, makeup application tips for cancer patients, free cosmetics, free hats and scarves, and many other items to simply help you look good and feel better.  

Lolly's Locks--Cancer patients can apply for a free or reduced price wig.  These wigs are the highest quality human hair wigs available. 

Road To Recovery--This program provides cancer patients with a ride to and from treatment.  Most treatment requires the cancer patient to be driven to and from treatment, therefore, many patients are left trying to find a family member or friend to take them to and from treatment.  This program provides assistance for patients to ensure they can get to and from treatment.  

Multiple Links For Assistance--The American Cancer Society provides a multitude of information and resources for cancer patients.  This is one you cannot overlooks.  A few of the links include one's I've already listed here, but there is some very good information here.

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition--There are various links on this page related to financial and other assistance for cancer patients and their family members.  

The C.H.A.I.N Fund--The Chain Fund assists cancer patients who are currently unable to work with bills such as mortgage or rent payments, utilities, prescription co-pays, insurance co-pays, & special food needs.

Manage Cancer--There are a lot of useful links on this page for financial assistance.  

Heavenly Hats--This was started by a teenager who had cancer and wanted to give back.  Hats are donated to any cancer patient who applies.  

Good Wishes Luxury Scarves--These scarves are the finest material and value at $75 or higher each; however, they donate one scarf to each cancer patient who submits an application.  I highly recommend this!

Fill A Heart--Cancer patients who have had a mastectomy can get a heart shaped pillow, which makes the healing process more comfortable.  

Peninsula Medical Free Alert Band--Anyone who has had a lymph node surgery is forever at risk for lymphedema.  Blood pressure or an IV cannot be started in the arm in which the surgery occurred, and an alert bracket is necessary to ensure medics are aware of your risk.  Get your free bracelet here.  

Cleaning For A Reason--This is an awesome service that allows cancer patients to have their home cleaned by a local cleaning service.  While this service isn't available in all areas, I highly recommend considering this if it's available in your area.

First Descents--This is an amazing outdoor adventure program for those fighting or who have survived cancer.  They have programs in multiple states and offer free trips for cancer patients.  Definitely worth checking out!

Little Pink Houses of Hope--This amazing service provides week long beach trips for cancer patients (currently fighting and survivors) and their families to give the a chance to reconnect and simply get away from cancer.  Another must to check out!

Go to THE ONE STOP CANCER SHOP to shop for breast cancer products and useful information.