Financial Relief
The financial burden of accessing care and living with cancer can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. In our financial relief section, we’ve gathered a list of grant and aid programs that can help you prepare for costs related to housing, food, transportation, or care, and overcome any financial challenges you may have right now.
Programs
The Alaska Men’s Run is an annual event that raises funds for prostate and testicular cancer awareness and support.
The Corporate Grant is for organizations requesting up to $5,000 grants focusing on awareness, prevention, education or outreach. The grant application and submission instructions are on their website here.
The Individual Grant is for men requesting financial aid and is limited to $500 per individual each year. Grant applications must be submitted by providers, care coordinators, social workers or other personnel in the continuum of care. Find the grant application on their website here.
The American Cancer Society is a national nonprofit working to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families. ACS provides financial support for transportation and lodging.
ACS operates more than 31 free Hope Lodges across the country for individuals receiving treatment away from home, and they have partnered with Extended Stay America to offer discounted rooms for individuals receiving treatment in a city without a Hope Lodge. ACS also provides free transportation to and from treatments.
For more information, please visit their website here and reach out to (800) 227-2345.
Aurora Integrated Oncology Foundation is a nonprofit focused on accessible, advanced treatment and comprehensive support for patients and families.
AIOF offers grants to support Alaskan nonprofits in the healthcare community to remove barriers to patient care and increase workforce development. Find more information on their website here.
AIOF also offers grants to individuals to address patient needs related to access to care and alleviate financial burdens for cancer patients. Find grant information and a link to apply on their website here.
Beat the Odds is a nonprofit in Petersburg, Alaska designed to assist people living with cancer, their families, and support systems.
Brandy Boggs, the Petersburg Medical Center’s Patient Navigator, works with individuals with cancer, caregivers, and families to connect them to chore services, special equipment and supplies, counseling, travel assistance funds, and other resources.
Brandy can be reached at (907) 531-5857 or (907) 772-5716 or by email at bboggs@pmc-health.org.
CANCERcare is a national nonprofit that provides free, professional support services and information to help people manage the challenges of cancer.
They offer financial relief that can be used for treatment, transportation, home care, and childcare. Oncology social workers and co-payment specialists help connect people to the right resource. They also offer a financial resource database to find additional local and national financial relief.
To learn more or to apply for financial relief, please visit their website here and reach out to (800) 813-4673.
Cancer Connection is a nonprofit designed to assist people living in Southeast Alaska with cancer, their families, and support systems. They offer education programs, awareness events, social support, and financial relief with the intent of prevention and early detection of cancer.
They offer housing and travel related financial relief.
To learn more about their resources, please visit their website here. You can also reach out to admin@cancerconnectionak.org or (907) 796-2273.
The Interior Alaska Cancer Association is a nonprofit that helps people with cancer and their families in the Interior and educates the community. They provide support groups and financial relief.
IACA provides financial relief grants for transportation, housing, food, and treatment related costs to people with cancer in the Interior.
To apply for financial relief please visit their website here and reach out to info@interioralaskacancer.org.
Susan G. Komen is a national nonprofit that focuses on patient navigation and advocacy specifically for breast cancer.
The Komen Financial Assistance Program is offered to people with breast cancer for living costs such as housing, utilities, food, transportation, childcare, and more.
To apply for the assistance program, please visit this website here. Applicants have the options of applying online, e-mailing or postal mailing a paper application, or applying via phone.
Let Every Woman Know is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing, facing, and ending gynecologic cancers. They provide creative statewide education, support, advocacy, and arts programs unique to Alaska’s diverse communities.
LEWK offers the Mary Rita Cancer Thriver Grant to Alaskans impacted by gynecologic cancers. The grant is limited to $500 per individual each year and may be used to cover treatment and copays for traditional and integrative medical care, travel, and lodging costs associated with cancer treatment.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with blood cancers and their families.
LLS offers financial relief to people with blood cancers and their families. They offer support for insurance premiums and co-pays, transportation, housing, utilities, food, child or elder care, dental care, clothing, and phone service.
To learn more or to apply for financial relief, please visit this website here and reach out to an LLS Information Specialist at (800) 955-4572.
The Sitka Cancer Survivor’s Society is a nonprofit that helps Sitkans who are dealing with cancer.
They provide mini grants to Sitka residents affected by cancer. These grants are $1,000 for the first year and $500 for each following year up to 5 years. Family members and friends may apply on another’s behalf. A physician’s signature confirming eligibility is required when applying.
Please click here to download the grant application.
Triage Cancer is a national, nonprofit that provides free education on the legal and practical issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers.
Triage Cancer’s Legal & Financial Navigation Program is a resource for individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers when navigating the legal, financial, and practical barriers that may arise during and after treatment. While the program does not provide direct financial assistance, prescription drug assistance, or legal representation, the program does empower individuals to explore the options available to them and to find information relevant to their unique situation.
For more information or to access the resources, please visit the website here.
Way Out Women (WOW) is a nonprofit founded in 2005 with the mission of supporting local Kenai Peninsula cancer patients. They are proud of the fact that all their profits go towards helping people in their own community.
To apply for monetary support from WOW, complete this form and have it signed by your doctor. Mail completed applications to: Way Out Women PO Box 1612 Soldotna, AK 99669.
For additional information, email wowaktreasurer@gmail.com
Healthcare Finance Guides
Understanding Health Insurance Terms
This guide provides an overview of many common health insurance terms you will likely encounter when interacting with the healthcare system. Please visit the link below to access the guide.
Navigating Medical Bills
This guide offers practical tips and considerations for preventing or reducing medical debt as a result of cancer treatment. Please visit the link below to access the guide.