If you have received a breast cancer diagnosis, please know that help is out there. The financial stress of cancer is real, but there are compassionate people ready to step in and help.
I’ve pulled together a list of organizations that offer tangible help, from utility assistance to gas cards and free rides to treatment. Don’t try to tackle it all today. Just take a look, pick one program to start with, and let these communities help you through this next step.
Grants & Financial Assistance
These organizations may be able to provide you with financial assistance after your diagnosis.
- Alabama Oncology Foundation has a Patient Financial Assistance Program that provides grants of up to $1,000. You will need to have a referring professional submit the application on your behalf. You can get the application form on their website.
- Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center offers assistance with transportation costs, Walmart gift cards, and hardship grants to cover utiltiies, rent, childcare or other expenses while you are in active treatment. They serve people in both Alabama and Mississippi. Reach out to their Client Service Coordinators for help.
- Steel Magnolias provides free care packages, meal dining vouchers, and prosthetics like mastectomy bras, wig caps, breast prosthesis and scarves. You can get the details on the Steel Magnolias website.
Other Alabama Breast Cancer Resources
Some organizations provide free rides to medical appointments and other services, even though they do not offer other forms of financial assistance.
- Brenda’s Brown Bosom Buddies provides free rides to appointments and even free mammograms. Get the details and eligibility requirements on their website.
- Women of Hope provides a pink basket tote to women who have been diagnosed through their Sunshine Ministry. They also provide support group meetings.
Check the Nationwide List, Too!
This list is focused on resources that are specific to Alabama. For even MORE support, check out our list of nationwide organizations that provide grants and more for breast cancer patients.
Other Resources
- Alabama Power has programs that may be able to help you. They have a Low Income Assistance Program that gives discounts to low income families on SSI or Medicaid. They also have other programs that may be able to help you with your utility costs also.
- Bridge Ministries may be able to help you with housing expenses if you are at risk of losing your housing due to health problems. They usually connect with people through hospital social service referrals, so make sure to mention your concerns to your hospital care team.
- Greater Birmingham Ministries is an amazing organization that helps people in the community connect with food, clothes, and financial assistance in certain circumstances. Contact them for details.
Relief Recap
When navigating a new diagnosis, the sheer volume of information can feel overwhelming. You don’t need to apply for every grant or call every number today.
Your best immediate step is to connect with a dedicated advocate—like the local team at Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center (205-838-6159) or your hospital’s oncology social worker. They can help streamline this list, protect your utilities from disconnection, and coordinate your rides.
The resources are out there, the funding is available, and there is a community ready to support your family every step of the way.
