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.