Books- Cancer

May 29, 2008 by LisaComments 0

Survivors

Anticancer: A New Way of Life David Servan Schreiber is clinical psychiatrist at the University of Pittsburgh and a cancer survivor. I this book he weaves compelling research about a cancer prevention lifestyle along with his own story.


Cancer Survivorship: Today and Tomorrow- Dr. Ganz is a UCLA researcher and heads the Adult survivorship clinic there. This book is written for nurses, social workers, mental health professionals and medical providers of service for long term survivors.

Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach (Pediatric Oncology)Wendy Hobbie & Kathleen Ruccione have been published extensively over the years in the field of childhood cancer survivorship. They- and the other authors have written this book about a multidisciplinary approach to the care of survivors managing late effects. Given recent research, I am sure newer information will be coming out, by these author

Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Practical Guide to Your Future (Childhood Cancer Guides) Book written for survivors.

Children

How to Help Children Through a Parent’s Serious Illness

Tickles Tabitha’s Cancer-tankerous Mommy

Grief/Loss

 

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: 20th Aniversary Edition From Publisher-Originally published in the fall of 1982, the wonderfully wise and strikingly simple story of a leaf named Freddie has become one of the most popular books of our times. How Freddie and his companion leaves change with the passing seasons, finally falling to the ground with a winter’s snow, is an inspiring allegory illustrating the delicate balance between life and death.

The Next Place-An inspirational journey of light and hope to a place where earthly hurts are left behind.

Tear Soup Nicely illustrated, told in fable form.

Cancer Scholarships and Grants

Apr 28, 2008 by admin18 Comments

Cancer patients and their families experience a number of financial stresses related to their illness, medical, transportation, and care-giving costs in lost work time. There are agencies and foundations to provide support for medication costs and some supplies, but it often takes a savvy and committed patient to advocate for these service. Did I mention perseverent?

There are grants for living expenses, medical expenses and even fertility treatment. More common are education scholarships. Some are listed below.

Scholarships/Grants for Children with Cancer/Life Threatening Condition

Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation-Foundation offers financial assistance to single parents of chronically ill children referred by social workers, and an annual award from an Essay submission to young recipients (usually age 12-21) facing a life threatening illness. See Foundation website for current information.

Cancer for College awards scholarships to current and former cancer patients who are currently attending either a four year accredited university, junior college and/or graduate school.Scholarships applicants must already be accepted to a university and/or attending a junior college. Scholarship amounts vary, ranging from $100 one time scholarships to four year perpetual scholarships of larger dollar amounts.

Carolyn’s Compassionate Children Awards college scholarships in the amout of $1000.00 each to survivors of childhood cancer.

FinAid This page contains information about scholarships for cancer patients, cancer survivors, children of a cancer patient or survivor, students who lost a parent to cancer, and students pursuing careers in cancer treatment.

Friends of Scott Offers a $500 scholarship to college to cancer patient/cancer survivor. Also provides meals and transportation services for children in cancer treatment.

Kyle Lee Foundation College Scholarships for Childhood Cancer Survivors, especially Ewings Sarcoma

Michael A Hunter Memorial Scholarship leukemia or lymphoma patients and/or are children of non-surviving leukemia or lymphoma patients

National Collegiate Cancer Foundation-Offers scholarships for college students who have cancer and plan to continue their education. Essay required.

Nicki Leach Foundation-Provides grants/monies for cancer patients ages 16-25 opportunity to enjoy normal or unusual activities they might otherwise not be able to afford by providing them necessary funding which might include car expenses, clothing, hair or makeup costs as well as special funding that might include the purchase of a special trip, a camera, computer or cell phone.

Patient Advocate Foundation Scholarships for individuals that have or have had cancer or been diagnosed with a life threatening disease and are under the age of 25

Ryan Mullaly Second Chance Fund Scholarships to College bound cancer survivors 22 years and younger who underwent radiation/chemotherapy for cancer while in high school.

The Ulman Fund Scholarships for cancer survivors or children who have lost a parent to cancer.

Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation Scholarships for post high school education are made available to brain tumor patients/survivors and/or children of brain tumor patients/survivors to enable them to pursue educational programs at accredited four-year colleges and universities, two-year colleges, vocational-technical schools or other institutions of higher learning.

Working Against Cancer’s Survival Scholarship Program assists young adult cancer survivors (ages 30 yrs and under) by providing awards toward academic and vocational education

Grants for Adult Cancer Patients

Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund The Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund (BMCF) supports patients ages 18-40 as they undergo cancer treatment. It provides services to meet daily needs that are not covered by insurance. Typical grants measure $600 and include co-payments, rent and mortgage, transportation, car insurance, repairs, and groceries.

The Sam Fund -Non-profit organization that provides grants and scholarships to young adult survivors of cancer for a variety of expenses- school, jobs, etc.

Breast Cancer Survivors Breast Cancer Survivors is a non-profit organization that provides temporary financial assistance to individuals undergoing treatment for breast cancer who are unable to meet their basic living expenses due to the impact of their disease. BCS currently helps individuals in selected areas in Southern California ONLY. If you live outside Southern California, we suggest contacting your local Susan G. Komen Foundation for possible resources in your area.

Other

Cancer Fund of America will send products- nutrient drinks, diapers, gloves- to cancer patients who fill out one page application, with doctor completing part of page.

The Sarcoma Alliance Financial Assistance for patients diagnosed with sarcoma cancers( child and adult) in the form of $1000.00 grants/stipends. Download application online.

One Step At A Time-Offers scholarships to send kids with a cancer diagnosis to camp.

Taking Care of the Aging

Apr 17, 2008 by adminComments 0

Resources For the Aging (but young at heart)

These are some resources for those who are helping any elderly persons, aging parents or relatives.

1. Medicare

2. Social Security Administration Here is the social security site, use to access information about social security and disability benefits.

3. California Department of Managed Health Care This is the link to the California Department of Managed Health Care- HMO Help Center, where consumers can file complaints and ask questions about HMO care

4. California Office of the Patient Advocate How to file a complaint with your medical insurance

5. AARP.

6. Hospice Link for resources on hospice care, and end of life issues

7. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization- for professionals, patients, and caregivers

8. Caregiver resources

9. California Government site on advanced directives

10. California Association for Adult Day Services

11. Meals on wheels

Jill Bolte Taylor- stroke of inspiration

Mar 21, 2008 by LisaComments 0

It is worth the 18 minutes to watch and the 90 minutes it took me to figure out how to post, and the other 30 it took me to fix once posted… :)

 

Prescription/Copay Assistance

Mar 10, 2008 by LisaComments Off

The cost of prescription medications can be overwhelming – even for those who have insurance. If a chronic or life threatening disease is being treated, the copay for prescription medications can easily head into hundreds and thousands of dollars per month. There is help based on financial need and also by diagnosis. Some links below.

  • Patient Advocate Foundation
  • Partnership for Prescription Assistance -Clearing house of prescription medication aids. Pharmaceutical companies work with PPARx – apply for aid for several meds at one time.
  • Needy Meds Search by state, a list of services and programs of low cost and free prescription programs
  • Together Rx Access Assistance for patients who are ineligible for Medicare, have no prescription drug coverage and meet household income and age requirements.
  • Healthwell -Non profit organization that helps people with certain conditions with prescription copays and insurance premiums

Most drug companies have prescription/copay relief programs for those who qualify on a needs basis or are uninsured. Patients apply through the company directly. Some companies are listed below. If you have prescriptions, you can ask your pharmacist who manufactures your medication, and contact the maker for an application. If you are being treated at a hospital, you may also ask to speak with the hospital social worker or patient advocate for assistance as well.

Cancer Specific