The Allyson Whitney Foundation primarily provides young adult cancer patients (ages 16-36) diagnosed with a rare cancer with ‘Life Interrupted Grants™ to ease their financial burden. The grants cover a range of needs, including: current and residual medical bills, rent, utilities, car and health insurance premiums, IVF start up treatments (egg retrieval and sperm banking), integrative therapies, travel expenses, and medical hair pieces.
To be eligible, applications need to be requested by an oncology social worker, doctor’s office, or patient navigator. All applications will be verified by an AWF representative & grant committee for time of treatment and rarity (Note: most young adult cancers are considered rare). Funding is limited and only one applicant from a facility can be granted an award in one grant round year. Awardees must be prepared to submit new bills to show financial need when requested. Grants will be paid either directly to the patient or their family or directly for rent or medical bills.
The Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor, in partnership with the American Cancer Society and Rogel Cancer Center, offers lodging assistance for cancer patients and their families who must travel for treatment.
To be eligible, patients or caregivers must be traveling for cancer-related appointments, treatments, or procedures in the greater Ann Arbor service area. Patients and caregivers must also have a primary residence 30+ miles from their treatment center and have a household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. Eligible individuals can submit an online application or email the application form to lodging@cancersupportannarbor.org.
In partnership with the American Cancer Society, Extended Stay America offers discounted hotel rooms for patients who have to travel for cancer treatment.
Extended Stay America has over 700 locations nationwide. To find a location near your treatment center and find out if you are eligible, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour Cancer Information Center at (800) 277-2345.
Fisher House Foundation provides comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay for free while a loved one is in the hospital.
There is currently one Fisher House in Michigan, at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital. Families must be referred by their Veteran’s VA Healthcare team. Additional information can be found at the Ann Arbor Fisher House.
Friends Together is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to help people in Northeast Lower Michigan during and after a cancer diagnosis. Friends Together offers an average of 30 support group opportunities each month, educational & fundraising events throughout the year, and a thriving transportation & lodging program that removes barriers to treatment.
The only eligibility criteria to receive services from Friends Together is a cancer diagnosis, and residence in Northeast Lower Michigan, including Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle Counties.
The Genevieve Memorial Recovery Grant provides financial support for young parents undergoing and recovering from breast cancer treatment. Grants cover up to a 3-day stay at a mutually agreed upon lodging location, as well as a stipend for meals, gas, and other necessities during recovery.
Eligible individuals must have been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 or younger and be caring for at least one child under 18. Grant applications can be found online at the Genevieve’s Helping Hands website.
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.
Mission of Hope Cancer Fund provides direct financial assistance to cancer patients as well as educational information, emotional, and grief support. Assistance is available to help cover the costs of prescriptions or co-pays, lodging, travel costs, insurance premiums, medical equipment and supplies, medical expenses, and help locating grief and emotional support groups.
Support is available to cancer patients in MIchigan and their families. Evaluations typically take 15-20 minutes over the phone. These evaluations include questions related to the original date of diagnosis, dates and information about treatment (e.g., surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation), and insurance information. Assistance is provided on a case by case basis, as funds are available.
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.
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.