Forum Post of the Month: Great Financial Assistance Tips for Melanoma Patients

3-23-2008 —  This wonderful post by Beth is full of great tips: http://www.melanomaintl.org/forums/toast.asp?sub=show&action=posts&fid=4&tid=409

There is a couple of places that I have found. Being on Disability has had me do allot of research:

1. Cancer Care will give you a one time "Grant" of $125.00 to help towards gas.

2. American Cancer Society will also reinburse you .20 a mile for gas for treatments.visits and tests.

3. vickiesangelwalk.org is a Financial Assistance for people that can not pay bills due to loss of income.

4. Along with my work insurance I also got through the state (Pa.) "Workers with Disabilities Insurance". It pays whatever my work insurance doesn't including prescriptions.

5. Also there is an organization that is fantastic it is called Crossing The Finish Line.

It is for young cancer patients ( to age 50). If you qualify they will send you on an all expense paid vacation to Florida. We are going at the end of May. They pay for you and your caregiver. It is a break from all the surgeries and treatments. They are wonderful! I can't wait to go!

Finally, you asked about my treatments and work, well, I was on disability when I did my month of Interferon. There was no possible way I could have worked. I stayed on it till mid January and my body just couldn't take it anymore. I went back to work for a month and just had surgery again on 2-19. I have been home since because my incision is not healing. I work for a great company and they have extended my leave 3 times now.It is rare you find companies that care more about you then $$$,