Navigating Cancer Treatment Costs: How to Support Patients Financially

Cancer is not only a disease which can take your life--it can act to clear out your bank account as well. Cancer treatment costs are expensive--for example, Irinotecan, a drug to treat colerectal cancer can cost $2,080 per claim, contributing to the 228.1 billion in cancer costs in 2008 alone as reported by the National Institute of Health. It's only natural to want to help a friend struggling to afford cancer treatment. Financial support can be given directly or indirectly.

Instructions

• 1

  Discuss the possibility of contributing toward your friend's cancer related costs. Determine whether the transaction will be a loan, one-time gift or on-going assistance to alleviate any concerns the patient may have about accepting charity. Providing the patient with a variety of options can help to assuage any feeling of guilt they might have about taking a handout.

• 2

  Talk with close family members of the patient to discuss establishing a private fund or setting up a fundraiser for the patient. Sites such as www.fundraiserhelp.com, can help you to get started with ideas for setting up specific fundraising events for the patient. Getting the community involved through the use of a fundraiser can help to generate ample amounts of support for cancer costs.

• 3

  Make an anonymous contribution to either the patient or to the hospital in his name to help offset some of the cost. This can be accomplished in any number of ways, such as dropping a cashier's check off at the patient's home or by setting up an appointment with someone responsible for billing at the hospital and offering a donation towards the patient's account.

• 4

  Attempt to channel funds through local organizations such as the patient's church, with the understanding that the funds are earmarked for donation to the patient. Using community groups as an intermediary can help to conceal the source of the funds while still allowing the patient to benefit from their receipt.