Press Release
2009-06-01
Financial Assistance Resource Guide for Cancer Patients Now Available Online
New York, June 1, 2009--A new website providing information and links to organizations that offer financial assistance for cancer patients is now online.
The website, www.cancerfac.org, was launched earlier this month by the Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC), a group of nearly a dozen advocacy and service organizations that offer resources to cancer patients to help with the costs associated with their treatments.
The coalition was formed in 2007 to address the financial challenges cancer patients face; and to provide better access to available resources that can help mitigate the financial obstacles to receiving the best care possible.
"One of the barriers to quality patient care is a lack of knowledge about what resources already exist," said Diane Blum, executive director of CancerCare, a member of the coalition. "This new website allows both patients and their health care team to quickly identify organizations that can help, exactly what kind of assistance is provided and how they can be contacted."
CancerCare provides limited financial assistance to qualifying individuals to cover the cost of treatment-related expenses like transportation and medications for side effects. Last year, it established the CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation, to help cancer patients cover the cost of their health insurance co-payments for treatment. The Foundation is also a member of the coalition.
The other coalition members are: The American Cancer Society, National Organization for Rare Diseases, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Patient Access Network Foundation, Patient Services Incorporated, HealthWell Foundation, National Marrow Donor Program, National Brain Tumor Society, and the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
The coalition invites comments and suggestions from health care providers, patients and the public. To update a resource in the CFAC database or to submit an organization for consideration, please complete the online organization application form.
Also new this month, CancerCare offers a free guide on financial assistance resources for people with cancer. _A Helping Hand: The Resource Guide for People with Cancer - Financial Edition includes detailed listings of more than 400 national and regional financial assistance organizations, and helpful tips for patients on taking control of their finances.