About the Nonprofit
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The truth about breast cancer is that the financial burdens can be just as devastating as the physical and emotional impact. This is why the Breast Cancer Support Fund (BCSF) exists – to bridge the gap between the financial reality faced by breast cancer patients and the limited financial assistance available.
Cancer-related, out-of-pocket expenses, such as medication not covered for treatment, over-the-counter medications, transportation costs, hospital parking, prosthetics, wigs, food, restorative therapies and medical devices add to the burden for patients who are sick, vulnerable and fighting for their lives.
The BCSF is one of the only national organizations actively addressing the devastating economic impact of breast cancer. Millions of dollars are raised in the name of breast cancer and directed to research and education every year, while many patients struggle with the financial burden.
When lost wages, out-of-pocket treatment-related expenses, and hidden indirect costs such as childcare collide with the emotional distress of a cancer diagnosis, many patients struggle, not just to survive, but to afford to survive.
The community we serve:
78% of the patients are lving on less than $25,000 per year during treatment
48% of patients supported are younger than 50 years of age
40% of patient supported are single mothers
16% of patients are lving with stage IV metastatic breast cancer
82% of the funds provided help patients pay for the cost of food and shelter
Patients apply for support by filling out an appoliction form that is signed by a health care provider and then assessed by a BCSF review committee. BCSF helps patients pay for medications, rent, groceries utilties, wigs, prothetics, transportation costs, child care, even hospital parking.
BCSF recently started a new program. The Meal Support Program provides free meals to breast cancer patients durign the time they are in trreatmtn. This program was launched in Sudbury and Halifax and will soon be made available to breast cancer patients (and their childfren under the age of 16) in Hamilton Ontario.