Help is on the Way!

During my treatment, I realized people don't really know how the little things add up!  They think because insurance covers the radiation or chemo  that you're good.  That's partly true. There are new needs that pop up.  A hat to keep your head warm, wigs, special lotion, medicines, better for your foods, or comfort aids to combat the treatment side effects. These unplanned yet necessary items can cause financial strain. The survivor may also need help with grocery shopping, cleaning and so on.  The needs are even more pronounced if you are caring for someone with a terminal diagnosis or you need a respite stay.

It's okay to ask for help.

If you or someone you know needs additional support, contact these resources below.  I have not vetted any of these providers so please do your own due diligence.

Be encouraged!  There is help available!!

-Tinesar

Sites to Search 

Breast Cancer? But Doctor....I hate pink!:  In the linked post, blogger and breast cancer survivor Ann Silberman shares free resources.

Cancer Horizons: Cancer Horizons spends all of our time trying to find free stuff cancer patients and resources online that will benefit our Community in meaningful ways. Cancer Patients and their Caregivers have given their ALL to fight this terrible disease. It is nice to know that there are 100’s of websites that offer special discounts to cancer patients and in most cases FREE stuff for patients and their families.

Cleaning for a Reason: Cleaning For A Reason is a nonprofit organization that serves all the United States and Canada. Our mission is to give the gift of free house cleaning to women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer. Our goal is to let these brave and strong women focus on their health and treatment while we focus on, and take away the worry and work of, cleaning their homes– free of charge. We have recruited over 1,200 maid services to donate free housecleaning to women who are undergoing treatment for cancer. Since 2006, our partner maid services have volunteered their time to clean for over 30,200 women – valued at over $10,000,000.

Little Pink Houses of Hope:  Little Pink Houses of Hope provides FREE week long vacations for breast cancer patients and their families. We believe a cancer diagnosis does not just affect the patient, but the entire family. Every retreat is designed to help families relax, reconnect and rejuvenate during the cancer journey.

Lump to Laughter: To help offer hope through emotional and spiritual support to get through the journey they face with a diagnosis of breast cancer, local volunteers of Lump to Laughter came up with the idea of sending an Inspirational Hope Package to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.   Packages may included "God Heals" Bag of Healing Scriptures-handmade by Sarah Whitmer, book - Myself:Together Again by Debbie Horwitz-documenting one woman's journey of a bilateral mastectomy in pictures, a Pink Bible, crocheted prayer shawl or square and crocheted chemo cap, a port pillow to cushion the chest incision site from their car seat belts, etc.

Temper-Pedic Mattress Donation: The United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF) is pleased to partner with Good360 to provide Tempur-Pedic® mattresses at no cost to breast cancer patients and survivors. The trusted Tempur-Pedic® Mattress brand offers the comfort and support necessary to promote a good night’s sleep, something that is vitally important to the healing process and improving the quality of life for those touched by breast cancer.

Do you know of other resources? Share them in the comments.