Resources for Melanoma Fighters

So many people who are diagnosed with a serious illness struggle with the financial hardships associated with medical expenses and travel for treatments.  Thankfully, I found this list through the Melanoma Research Foundations forum board.  It's a list that I can not take credit for, but it has been a help to us and to many I have forwarded it on too.  I thought I'd post it here in hopes that it will help others.

Travel:

• Southwest Arlines - Charitable Giving, free commercial airline ticket, 30 days notice - (214)792-1300 

• Mercy Medical Airlift - Arranges free transportation on commercial airlines, 14 day notice - (888)675-1405

• Miracle Flight - Transportation on private aircrafts, 10 days notice (800)359-1711

• Corporate Angel - Transportation on private aircrafts, 7 days notice (800)328-1313 www.corpangelnetwork.org

• Continental Care Force - Transportation on private aircrafts, 2 wks notice (281)261-6626

• Midwest Airlines - Miracle Miles Program, free commercial tickets, 10 days notice (414)570-4118

• Northwest Airlines - Reduced fare coupon books for Clinical Trial Patients (800)328-1111

• Aircare Alliance - www.aircareall.org

• Angel Flight - Transportation on private aircrafts, (888) 4AN ANGEL www.angelflight.org or www.angelflighteast.org

Lodging Accommodations:

Joe's House -Joe's House is a nonprofit organization providing a nation-wide online service that helps cancer patients and their families find lodging near treatment centers. (877) JOESHOU www.joeshouse.org

Financial Resources: 

•  www.cancercare.org - click on "I'm a cancer patient" or "I'm a loved one", then click on "Assistance", then click "Financial Assistance", then download the financial assistance form.  (800)813-HOPE
• www.cancer.org -  click on "In your area" and enter your zip code.  This website has lots of information on help.  (800)ACS-2345
• www.patientadvocate.org - this website provides effective mediation and arbitration services to patients to remove obstacles to healthcare including medical debt crisis, insurance access issues and employment issues for patients with chronic, debilitating and life-threatening illnesses.
• www.netwish.org -  Netwish provides assistance, up to $500 for those who are able to demonstrate a financial need.
• www.modestneeds.org - provides help with bills.
• Hope Cancer Fund - Provides a one time financial assistance of $150 to families. (866)334HOPE
• www.vickiesangelwalk.org - provides financial assistance for people who can not pay bills due to loss of income. 
• www.crossingthefinishline.org - helps families and loved ones by offering travel for a vacation.  Must be diagnosed with Cancer, be between 24-50, and reside in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware.
  
• Co-Pay Relief - www.copays.org or (866)612-3861
• www.panfoundation.org - helps thousands of underinsured patients afford the copayments for their cancer or chronic disease medications.
• www.healthwellfoundation.org -  non-profit organization established in 2003 that is committed to addressing the needs of individuals with insurance who cannot afford their copayments, coinsurance, and premiums for important medical treatments.
• beyondtherainbow.org/forms.html - provides financial assistance to qualified individuals who have suffered serious injury, illness or disability that has resulted in a hardship of a long term nature.

I hope that these resources can help you.  We have used Angel Flight for Eric's travel to treatments out of state.  It has been a wonderful blessing to us.  The pilot not only flies us to and from his treatments, but he also gets us a Crew Car from the airport and drives us to the hospital 30 minutes from the airport. We also found out from our local American Cancer Society that Eric was eligible to receive a $75 gas card since he is currently receiving treatments.  Be sure to contact your local ACS, they may have additional resources for you.