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Q. My parents are visiting me from India since February 2020. Recently, last month my mother was diagnosed with an early stage cancer. Due to the COVID-19 situation, my parents are unable to go back to India for the surgery. The oncologist here has advised us to opt for the surgery within six weeks (since mid-March). We are unable to bear a high surgery cost. I would like to know if you can help us financially.
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s diagnosis. CancerCare offers financial assistance in the form of a small grant that can go towards the cost of transportation, home care, child care, food, and living expenses for anyone affected by COVID-19. Unfortunately, it will not not cover the full cost of your mother’s treatment, so I would recommend getting her health insurance in the U.S. if she doesn’t already have it and speaking with a hospital social worker to see if they can assist you in that process. You can also ask to speak with someone in the hospital’s finance department and inquire about the possibility of a sliding scale or payment plan. Finally, you may call us at 800-813-4673 to speak with an oncology social worker who can search for possible additional resources.
Answered by
Lauren Bronstein, MSW, LCSW, LSW