Camp Kesem is a national organization that provides free summer camps, day programs, and virtual meetups for children impacted by a parent’s cancer.
Camp Kesem serves youth ages 6-18 who have a parent undergoing cancer treatment, have lost a parent to cancer, or have a parent who is a cancer survivor. Applications open in January of each year and can be completed online or mailed in.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance offers two financial assistance programs for low-income individuals. The Blue Hope Treatment Award provides colorectal cancer patients with a one-time $200 award to help with daily expenses during treatment, including childcare, transportation, or food. The Cottonelle and BLKHLTH-sponsored Screening Assistance Fund provides assistance for Black individuals seeking assistance for colorectal cancer screening.
Individuals who are interested in either assistance program must live in the United States and meet income restrictions. Blue Hope awardees must be in active treatment for colorectal cancer. Screening Assistance awardees must identify as Black or African American and be currently uninsured.
Crossroads of Michigan provides community resources to low-income individuals and families. Support services include transportation, coaching to find and maintain permanent employment, food assistance, clothing assistance, childcare, personal hygiene products, and personal coaching for crisis reduction and long-term stability.
To get help and identify available resources, interested individuals can call (313) 831-2000.
The Hirschberg Foundation in partnership with CancerCare offers a one-time grant for people in treatment for pancreatic cancer. Financial assistance may be used for transportation, treatment costs, home care, pain medication, and childcare.
Eligible individuals must have a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and currently be in active treatment, live in the US or Puerto Rico, and meet CancerCare income requirements. Interested indivuduals can call CancerCare at (800) 813-4673 and ask for the Hirschberg Pancreatic Program.
The LLS Urgent Need Program provides eligible patients with assistance for non-medical expenses, including rent, mortgage, lodging, utilities, child care, elder care, food, transportation, car repair, car insurance, phone service, and acute dental work related to treatment. Eligible patients can receive a grant of $500 once in a 12-month period. At the end of the 12-month period, healthcare professionals can reapply on behalf of patients.
To be eligible, applicants to the Urgent Need Program must have a household income below 600% of the Federal Poverty Level, adjusted for the Cost of Living Index; be a US citizen or permanent resident; have a blood cancer diagnosis; demonstrate acute financial need. Program availability is subject to the availability of funds to support the program.
The Lymphoma Research Foundation offers financial support for people currently undergoing treatment for lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Patient Aid Grants provide limited financial assistance for expenses related to lymphoma treatment, including medical bills, transportation costs, lodging expenses, and child care costs.
To be eligible, applicants must complete a Patient Aid application, demonstrate financial need regarding income and assets, be undergoing or about to undergo lymphoma treatment as certified by a physician, and be a legal resident receiving treatment in the United States.
MI Bridges is an online portal where Michigan residents can apply for public assistance programs to help with healthcare coverage, the Food Assistance Program (FAP), cash assistance, Women, Infants, & Children (WIC), Child Development & Care (CDC), and State Emergency Relief (SER).
Michigan residents can apply for more than one program at a time. Eligibility varies by program.
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) provides financial assistance for non-medical costs related to ovarian cancer treatment and clinical trial participation. Financial assistance may be used towards non-medical expenses, including transportation, rent/housing/lodging, food/groceries, utilities, childcare, and home cleaning services.
Eligible individuals must have a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and currently be in active treatment or maintenance therapy, live in the United States or US territories, and have an income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Shades of Pink Foundation is committed to easing the financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis for patients in the Detroit metropolitan area. Breast cancer patients can apply for assistance with costs related to mortgage/rent payments; current property taxes; utilities; car payments, repairs, and insurance; health insurance premiums (including COBRA), and childcare costs.
To qualify for assistance, you must reside in Southeast Michigan (Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties), be in active treatment, and submit an application through your health care provider (social worker, patient advocate, oncologist, nurse, etc.).
The Susan G. Komen Financial Assistance Program offers $400 grants for breast cancer patients to support daily living expenses, including rent, utilities, food, transportation, childcare, or medical needs.
Applicants must be currently in treatment for breast cancer or living with metastatic breast cancer, live in the United States, and have an income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Individuals can apply once every 12 months using the MyKomen patient portal.
The Thomara Latimer Cancer Foundation (TLCF) provides information, financial assistance and emotional support to families affected by any cancer-related disorder. Expenses addressed by TLCF generally include support for homecare assistance, including childcare; medication or treatment costs not covered by insurance; funds for transportation; special need funds for wigs or head coverings; and funds for assistance with final arrangements.
TLCF only accepts applications from residents in the state of Michigan. Proof of illness must be documented by your oncologist or physician on the physician’s, social worker’s, or treatment center’s letterhead. Documentation may also include copies of invoices from medication, transportation, wigs, homecare, childcare, etc. Assistance depends on the availability of funds.