Resources for Cancer Patients

So many people who are diagnosed with a serious illness struggle with the financial hardships associated with medical expenses and travel for treatments.  Here are some numbers and websites that I have compiled that may help alleviate some of that burden:

Travel:

• Angel Airlines For Cancer Patients - The mission and purpose of Angel Airlines For Cancer Patients’ is to ensure that no cancer patient is denied access to distant specialized medical evaluation, diagnosis or treatment for lack of a means of long-distance commercial airline transportation.  (800)296-1217

• Southwest Arlines - Charitable Giving, free commercial airline ticket, 30 days notice - http://www.southwest.com/medicalgrant

• Mercy Medical Airlift - Arranges free transportation on commercial airlines, 14 day notice - (888)675-1405  http://www.mercymedical.org

• Miracle Flight - Transportation on private aircrafts, 10 days notice (800) 359-1711 http://www.miracleflights.org

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

• Patient Airlift Central - Patient AirLift Services covers flights in the entire northeast United States as far west as Ohio and as far south as Virginia. http://www.palservices.org

• American Cancer Society Air Miles Program – Frequent flyer miles are donated for patients and family to travel to treatment (800) 227-2345

• National Patient Travel Center - The National Patient Travel HELPLINE provides information about all forms of charitable, long-distance medical air transportation and provides referrals to all appropriate sources of help available in the national charitable medical air transportation network.  http://www.patienttravel.org/

• Aircare Alliance - www.aircareall.org

• Angel Flight - Transportation on private aircrafts.  They have different Angel Flight Organizations for different areas of the US (888) 4AN ANGEL www.angelflight.org , www.angelflighteast.org , http://www.angelflightne.org/ , www.angelflightcentral.org , http://www.angelflightsoars.org/

Lodging Accommodations:

ACS Hope Lodge - Each Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free, temporary place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city.   www.cancer.org/treatment/supportprogramsservices/hopelodge/index

Sometimes the hospital where you are receiving treatment will have their own resources for local accommodations, be sure to get connected with a Patient Resource Advocate at that hospital and ask if they have local resources for lodging.

Financial Resources: 

• 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 - www.hopecancerfund.com/client/
• 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.

Your local American Cancer Society may have their own programs to help.  Our local ACS had gas cards that they distributed for patients going through chemotherapy.  Be sure to contact your local ACS, they have multiple resources to assist you.  I also recommend searching for foundations that are directly related to your type of cancer because they may have specific resources for your cancer.