About the Nonprofit
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Our Mission:
At Lazarex Cancer Foundation we improve patient access to cancer clinical trials.
Our Vision:
That everyone affected by cancer will have hope, dignity, support and the most advanced treatments made available to them at all stages of their journey.
Imagine that your life has been completely turned upside down with a diagnosis of late stage cancer: rounds of debilitating treatments, sickness, weakness, and the constant concern of hospital stays and medical expenses. You worry about what will happen to your loved ones if you die, the grief of loss for your hopes and dreams for the future. Now, imagine that your doctor says, "I'm sorry, there is no more we can do for you. It's time to get your affairs in order."
At Lazarex Cancer Foundation (LCF), we believe that everyone – regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity or financial status– should have equitable access to the medical advances available through cancer clinical trials. A clinical trial is a study of how people react to new and promising medications. Many minority communities are underrepresented in clinical trials, making it difficult for doctors to develop the most effective treatments for them. LCF focuses on removing the financial barriers to participation for all cancer patients, making equitable access to tomorrow’s treatments today a reality through clinical trial identification and participation.
By far the biggest barrier to participation is financial. In a 2016 survey, 70% of our patients reported that travel costs would have been a barrier to participation. Cancer patients wrestle with spending money at a time they can least afford it and leaving their family in a worse financial situation. This is often the reason why they decide to "give up" and call hospice. We give them renewed hope by providing reimbursement for the out of pocket expenses associated with traveling to and from treatments (flights, gas, taxi, tolls, parking and lodging, etc.) and by allowing the patient to have a travel companion to provide emotional and logistical support, so they don’t have to “go it alone”. LCF is the only 501(c)(3) in the country who offers this kind of long term support to patients for the duration of their treatment. The CARE program is unique in offering a complete solution to get patients where they need to be, when they need to be there. This is at the heart of what we do and we must continue to support patients in need.
"Participating in a clinical trial meant moving from southern California to San Francisco and putting my job and life on hold. The financial implications seemed insurmountable. With the help of Lazarex Cancer Foundation I was able to participate in the trial. It was successful and I returned home in remission! Lazarex was with me every step of the way."- Jessica- Lazarex Patient
Lazarex Cancer Foundation assisted our first patient in 2007, since then we have served over 6,000 patients with participating in clinical trials. In 2020 - 1,027 patients were assisted through CARE Program reimbursement. LCF has diligently worked to keep pace with patient growth by increasing our donor base and revenue, however it is not enough. The need for our services is growing, and so is our need to engage with corporations and foundations whose missions align with ours and who are on a trajectory to make a tremendous impact in the lives of cancer patients. That is why we are reaching out to you.
