We’ve found several blood cancer grants that can help you pay for your housing, utilities, and other essential needs. A cancer diagnosis can be completely overwhelming but there are organizations out there that want to help you!
In this article, we’ll introduce you to several organizations that offer blood cancer grants and explain how you can get help.
Nationwide Blood Cancer Grants
There are a few organizations that can provide blood cancer grants to patients all over the United States.
The Headstrong Foundation – up to $1,000
The Nicholas E. Colleluori Financial Aid Fund from the HEADstrong Foundation can provide up to $1,000 in blood cancer grants to low income patients. This fund can be used to pay for living expenses, medical treatment or travel expenses.
In order to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have a documented blood cancer diagnosis.
- You must be undergoing active treatment for blood cancer.
- You must have an income that is 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Guideline.
This program opens applications every month. When funds are exhausted, the applications close until the next month. You can apply on the HEADstrong website.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – up to $500
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides financial assistance for patients with blood cancer. In fact, they have several programs that may be able to assist you. Their Urgent Needs Fund can provide up to $500 for living expenses. They also have other funds that can provide up to $2,500 for transportation expenses.
We’ve identified over $4,100 in assistance that you may be able to receive from this organization. Here’s what you need to know.
Barbara Knight Foundation – up to $300 (AML only)
If you have been diagnosed with AML, you can apply for a $300 stipend from the Katie Wesley Financial Assistance Fund by the Barbara Knight Foundation. This money can be used to help you pay for utilities, child care, transportation, or other living expenses.
You can fill out the application online. However, you will need to upload proof of your AML diagnosis before you submit it.
BMT InfoNet
The BMNT InfoNet Patient Assistance Fund provides financial help for those who need a transplant or CAR T-cell therapy. The money from this fund can be used to help with your living expenses during your treatment.
The funds from this program can be used to pay for:
- Food
- Housing
- Transportation
- Utilities
In order to be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a resident of the United States.
- You must have received either an analogous transplant, an allogeneic related-donor transplant or CAR-T cell therapy in the last 12 months.
If you meet the requirements for this program, you will need to ask your social worker or a member of your therapy team to submit your application. You can call (888) 597-7674 or email the organization for details.
Grants that Pay for Treatment
There are many organizations that specifically offer blood cancer grants that cover the cost of your treatment. After all, transplants and other treatments can be very expensive.
United Healthcare Children’s Foundation – up to $5,000
If your child is diagnosed with blood cancer, you need to know about UHCF. This fund provides up to $5,000 in financial assistance for eligible children!
In order to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- The patient must be age 16 or younger.
- The patient must have a Social Security Number.
- The family must meet income limits.
- The child must have health insurance (Medicaid and CHIP is permissible).
- The child must be under the care of medical professional in the United States.
You can apply on the UHCF website.
Be the Match
Be the Match provides a Patient Assistance Program. This fund helps pay for transplant costs that are not covered by insurance. These expenses may include donor searches, travel and lodging, prescription copays or other costs.
Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation
The Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation provides a Lifeline Fund. The Lifeline Fund provides assistance with supportive services like donor searches, compatibility testing, home and child care, medical equipment, transportation, housing, or other needs that your insurance may not cover.
In order to be eligible for the Lifeline Fund, you must need to have a bone marrow, HCT, T-cell or cord blood transplant. You may also be eligible if you are still receiving post-transplant care.
Applications must be submitted by a social worker, nurse coordinator or another medical professional. You cannot apply for yourself. However, you can ask someone on your medical team to apply on your behalf using the online form.
The Foundation also coordinates a service called Carelines. It appears to be similar to GoFundMe, but specifically for those who need a bone marrow, HCT, or cord blood transplant. Carelines offer some advantages over GoFundMe that may make it easier for you to get donations. For example, donations are tax deductible and there’s an option for your employer to match your donations.
Children’s Leukemia Research Association
The Children’s Leukemia Research Foundation provides blood cancer grants to help cover treatment for leukemia patients. Adults and children may be eligible.
The funds from this organization can be used to pay for:
- Anti-anxiety
- Anti-nausea
- Antidepressants
- Assistance includes medical bills for oral chemotherapy
- Blood thinners
- Immunosuppressants
- IVIG
- Neutropenia
- Pain and numbing
- Preventative antibiotics
- Thrombocytopenia
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI)
- Vitamins and minerals
Patients who have had treatments can also receive assistance for other prescriptions and treatments.
In order to apply, you need to submit an application and include a Doctor’s Verification Form. You will also need to include a copy of your insurance card. Applications open in January every year and remain open until funds run out.
Local Blood Cancer Grants
Some of the organizations that offer financial assistance limit their grants to certain states or cities. In this section, we’ll share some of the local grant programs we’ve found.
Michigan
The Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan offers comprehensive patient support services. This program goes far beyond mere financial assistance.
Among other things, this program can help you with:
- Referrals
- Resource kits
- Support groups
- Reimbursements for expenses not covered by insurance
- Special Needs Grants for urgent needs with housing, utilities, or emergency car repairs
- Holiday toys for pediatric patients and siblings, or children of adult patients
In order to be eligible for assistance, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a Michigan resident.
- You must have been diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood-related disorder.
This program does not have any age limits or income limits. It is open to all eligible patients, regardless of their age or income level.
You can enroll on the Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan website.
Summary
There are many organizations that offer blood cancer grants for patients. If you have been diagnosed with a blood cancer and you need help with your treatment or living expenses, be sure to check out this list for ways that you can get help!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.