A breast cancer diagnosis often comes with unexpected costs, many of which are not directly related to the patient’s diagnosis and are out of their control. These unexpected costs can create an undue financial burden, increasing stress and hardship for patients and their families.
To help alleviate this burden, National Breast Cancer Foundation created the Patient Relief Program to help breast cancer patients who need financial assistance for things like food and groceries, transportation, prescription costs, home utilities, and more.
“Patients who are worried about food insecurity, their co-pays, or their transportation will be less able to devote their attention and resources to breast cancer treatment, more likely to miss important treatments and to suffer from complications. By ensuring basic social needs are met, the National Breast Cancer Foundation will improve the quality of life for our breast cancer patients while giving them the best chance at a full recovery.” – Patient navigator at Henry Ford Health System
How we support breast cancer patients
The Patient Relief Program is an NBCF initiative carried out through our partner hospitals nationwide. NBCF Patient Relief Program funds are distributed to partner hospitals, who in turn distribute the funds to patients in need.
Breast cancer patients may receive financial support for:
- Groceries and toiletries (and delivery costs, if necessary)
- Transportation to and from appointments
- Childcare services for treatment or appointment times
- Co-pay and prescription medicine assistance, including financial stipends
- Home utilities
- Other cost-of-living support
Note: Patients cannot apply for Patient Relief Program funds through NBCF directly. Rather, patients will apply for these funds through their hospital or breast center. Patients should check with their hospital, breast center, or patient navigator about the availability of Patient Relief Program funds.
How we support partner hospitals
Patient navigators and breast center staff work tirelessly to help provide breast cancer patients with the support, resources, and services they need. NBCF makes these Patient Relief Program grant funds available to our partners so their staff have access to even more resources to help support their patients.
Breast center program staff may receive financial support for:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- iPads/tablets for trainings and/or virtual patient appointments
- Teleconference licenses