Financial Support
Direct Financial Aid
National Children's Cancer Society
The mission of The National Children's Cancer Society is to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and their families worldwide.
They provide financial, emotional, educational and medical resource for those in need at every stage of their illness and recovery. In the United States, they ease the financial burdens that accompany major illness; give crucial support and comfort; and address the challenges of survivorship.
The N.C.C.S. provides direct financial assistance to children diagnosed with cancer and their families. This program is supported entirely by public contributions, and is made available for the families with the greatest need. The types of services provided by the program include:
- Meals during treatment
- Transportation to and from treatment
- Long distance telephone cards
- Lodging during treatment
- Health insurance premiums
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance
Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation
Within 24 hours, the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation helps with urgent expenses to allow single parents to stay at their child's bedside during catastrophic illness.
Cancer Fund of America
Helps defray cancer-related expenses not covered by insurance; a national non-profit organization whose mission is to provide free professional help to people with all cancers through counseling, education, information and referral and direct financial assistance.
Kelly Ann Dolan Memorial Fund
Dedicated to the nonmedical uninsured needs of families caring for terminally, critically and chronically ill dependent children through advocacy, financial assistance, education and informational resources
The Szott Foundation
This foundation offers financial assistance so that one previously full time employed parent can stay home and care for a child with cancer. The initial communication for the application for a grant is initiated by the hospital social worker. See the website for more information, including FAQs.
National Transplant Assistance Fund
NTAF provides fundraising ideas and guidance for patients raising money for uninsured medically related expenses, $1,000 challenge grants for eligible patients and educational information regarding organ/tissue donation.
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation
Provides medical grants to children to cover medical treatment.
Government Agencies
Supplemental Security Income, SSI
This is a social security program (USA) for disabled people, including children with cancer. Depending on your family income, you may be eligible for SSI. It is important to sign up for Social Security as soon as your child is diagnosed. If and when you are ever approved, they will pay retroactively to the date of application. Phone your local agency by looking for the number of the social security administration under the US government listings. Direct links to pertinent information on pages within this site:
Government publications on SSI
"You may be able to get SSI . . .
Medicaid
Medicaid is a jointly-funded, Federal-State health insurance program for certain low-income and needy people. It covers approximately 36 million individuals including children, the aged, blind, and/or disabled, and people who are eligible to receive federally assisted income maintenance payments (like SSI). Rules on eligibility for Medicaid vary from state to state, but you might be eligible if your hospital bills are only partially covered. Medicaid sometimes pays transportation and prescription costs. Phone your local or county service department to find the number for the Medicaid office in your area. For free help with both SSI and Medicaid, FAX the Childhood Cancer Ombudsman Program at (804) 580-2502 or 2304.
