Where Cancer Survivors Can Get Help

At least 2 million Americans—roughly one in six cancer survivors—decide to forgo at least some follow-up medical care because of the cost, according to recent research.

See the feature story "The Cancer Survivor's New Battle" to learn more. Below is a list of organizations that provide financial help for survivors who can't afford care.

American Cancer Society (National Cancer Information Center)

1-800-227-2345 / cancer.org

Provides referrals to other agencies; some local offices provide assistance for transportation, medication, temporary housing and wigs.

Brain Tumor Society

1-800-770-8287 / tbts.org

Grants up to $2,000 for primary brain tumor patients for costs such as transportation, home care, home adaptations and child care.

CancerCare

1-866-552-6729 toll-free / cancercarecopay.org

Pharmaceutical copayment assistance to patients with breast, lung, colon and pancreatic cancers who have private insurance, employer-sponsored plans, Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage.

1-800-813-4673 / cancercare.org

Assistance for transportation costs and some pain and other side-effect medications.

Chronic Disease Fund

1-877-968-7233 toll-free / cdfund.org

Copayment assistance for medications for patients with breast, colon, multiple myeloma and non-small-cell lung cancers who have private insurance or Medicare Part D.

Healthwell Foundation

1-800-675-8416 / healthwellfoundation.org

Assists patients with various cancers or chemo-induced anemia with insurance copays, premiums or other out-of-pocket costs.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

1-877-557-2672 toll-free / lls.org/copay

Helps patients meet their health insurance or Medicare Plan B or D premiums or copay obligations.

1-800-500-9976 / lls.org

Grants up to $500 for uncovered expenses such as transportation, lodging, child care and home care, and cosmetic and medical devices.

Lymphoma Research Foundation

1-800-500-9976 / lymphoma.org

Grants up to $250 for expenses such as transportation, temporary housing, child care and home care, and cosmetic and medical devices.

National Brain Tumor Foundation

1-800-934-2873 / braintumor.org

Grants up to $1,000 for treatment-related expenses for patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors.

National Organization for Rare Disorders

1-800-999-6673 / rarediseases.org

Assists uninsured or underinsured patients with copay help for certain medications to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuira (PNH).

Partnership for Prescription Assistance

1-888-477-2669 toll-free / pparx.org

Access to more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies and hundreds of public and private programs.

Patient Access Network Foundation

1-866-316-7263 toll-free / patientaccessnetwork.org

Assists patients with various cancers who cannot access treatments because of out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and copays.

Patient Advocate Foundation

1-800-532-5274 / patientadvocate.org

Provides mediation and arbitration assistance for patients facing obstacles in health care such as medical debt, care access and employment issues.

1-866-512-3861 toll-free / copays.org

Copayment assistance for pharmaceuticals to qualifying insured patients (including Medicare Part D beneficiaries) with various cancers.

Patient Services Incorporated

1-800-366-7741 / uneedpsi.org

Assists patients with certain cancers in locating health insurance policies and/or provides premium and copay insurance for some already with insurance.

Sarcoma Alliance

415-381-7286 / sarcomaalliance.org

Grants up to $350 for medical and other expenses directly related to second opinions from a sarcoma specialist.

Sid Kirchheimer writes about health and consumer issues.