There are many organizations that offer financial help for breast cancer patients in the United States! The organizations in this list provide much-needed financial help to support your recovery. From medical expenses to everyday living costs, there are various resources available to support survivors in their journey to regain stability and rebuild their lives.
In this article, we will explore the different financial assistance options tailored specifically for breast cancer survivors.
Nationwide Financial Help for Breast Cancer Patients
There are many nationwide organizations and charities that offer financial help for breast cancer patients. If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact these agencies.
Pink Fund – up to $3,000
The Pink Fund also offers financial help for breast cancer patients. Their fund can provide up to $3,000 over a three month period. That money can be used to pay for housing, utility bills, car payments, car insurance payments, health insurance premiums and other expenses.
In order to be eligible, you must be in active treatment and have a household income that is less than 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. You also need to be able to demonstrate that either you or your partner have experienced a reduction in working income because of your diagnosis.
To get started, complete the prequalification survey. Don’t forget to check out our Guide to The Pink Fund for more tips!
Jill’s Wish – up to $1,500
Jill’s Wish provides financial assistance with non-medical living expenses for those who have been newly diagnosed (within the last 12 months) or are living with terminal breast cancer.
The grants are up to $1,500 each and you can receive up to two in a five-year period (no more than one per calendar year). The grants from this organization can be used to help with your housing, utilities and car payments.
In order to be eligible for help from Jill’s Wish, you must live in one of the following areas:
- Michigan
- Louisville, KY
- Central KY
- Cincinnati, OH
- Southern IN
You can apply online at the Jills Wish website.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer – up to $1,250
Living Beyond Breast Cancer is an organization that can help you connect with health care resources and other assistance programs. They also have a grant program that provides financial help for breast cancer patients. You could receive up to $1,250 from this grant program but you can only receive the grant once in your lifetime.
In order to be eligible, you must be a breast cancer patient that lives in the United States and has an income that is 400% of the Federal Poverty Level or less.
Applying for this grant can be tricky but there’s a little hack that makes it easier. We’ll show you how to get your medical provider to apply for you in our LBBC Fund Guide.
Pink Aid’s Pink Purse – up to $1,000
Pink Aid’s Pink Purse provides quick emergency financial help for breast cancer patients. They are the only organization I’m aware of that provides emergency grants within 48 hours.
They are able to cut down on the processing time by having a local social worker or nurse handle your paperwork. You will need to have someone help you complete the application and that person will be responsible for making sure you are eligible. We’ll show you how to get started in our Pink Purse Guide.
Susan G Komen Financial Assistance Fund – up to $750
Susan G Komen is one of the most recognized names in this field. This foundation is well-known for promoting breast cancer research and providing support for patients.
The Susan G Komen Financial Assistance Fund can provide between $500 and $750. You can reapply every 12 months, too! The amount you will receive will depend on the current stage of your cancer.
Unlike other programs that pay the money directly to the people you owe (like landlords or utility companies), Susan G. Komen will direct deposit your grant into your bank account.
You can apply online or visit our Susan G. Komen Financial Assistance Guide for more details.
Pink Ribbon Riders – up to $500
The Pink Ribbon Riders program provides financial help for breast cancer patients who are undergoing active treatment. Both men and women may be eligible. However, you must reside in a state with a current Pink Ribbon Riders fundraising program.
This organization sets only four criteria for assistance:
- You must live in a participating state. Those states are currently Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin or Wyoming.
- You must be a US citizen.
- You must be in current treatment (not hormone therapy).
- You must be able to demonstrate financial need (such as an emergency repair, past-due bill, etc.)
You can apply for help on the Pink Ribbon Riders website during an open period. This organization accepts applications for a while, then closes to process all the applications, and then reopens applications again. You need to keep an eye on their website so you know when applications open again.
Sisters Network Inc. – up to $350
You can receive financial assistance once per year through the Karen E. Jackson Breast Cancer Assistance Program from Sisters Network Inc. This fund can provide up to $350 to help with your housing or utility costs.
In order to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- You need to be in active treatment for a breast cancer diagnosis.
- You must have a financial need.
he application is only open twice per year and you need to subscribe to their mailing list to be notified about when it opens again. The application is only available on their website when the fund is open. When that happens, you can download the application, fill it out and gather the required documentation. When it’s complete, you can email that application to [email protected].
Infinite Strength
Infinite Strength provides up to six months of financial assistance for low income single moms with metastatic breast cancer. The money will be paid directly to your landlord or mortgage company.
For more information about their grant program and eligibility criteria, check out our Infinite Strength guide.
Pink Daisy Project
The Pink Daisy Project provides financial help for breast cancer patients who are under the age of 45. This is one of the few resources that will give you the money directly instead of sending it to a vendor or service provider on your behalf.
In order to receive financial help from The Pink Daisy Project, you must be under age 45 and have a recent breast cancer treatment or reconstruction. They can provide gift cards that can be used to pay for groceries, restaurant meals or gas.
In order to apply, you will need to submit proof of age and diagnosis. Applications can be requested by emailing [email protected].
DONNA CareLine
DONNA CareLine is staffed by trained experts who help breast cancer patients navigate insurance issues and financial obstacles. They secure about $500,000 in debt relief and financial assistance annually for their callers.
The line is staffed by professional case managers who have worked in nursing, social work, or insurance billing. They can help you figure out how to navigate insurance denials and figure out how to get your treatment paid for.
They also have a small grant program called the DONNA Financial Aid Fund that can help you pay for care-related expenses.
CancerCare
CancerCare has several programs that offer financial help for breast cancer patients. However, their funding depends on donations so these programs periodically close to applications. It’s always worth looking into their current offerings if you need help, though!
Other Assistance Programs
Although the services in this section don’t provide grants or direct financial assistance, they can help you save money or connect with other resources that can help.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society has many programs that provide supportive services to breast cancer patients. These include a 24/7 helpline, free lodging during treatment, rides to treatment, and discounted wigs or mastectomy products.
The Assistance Fund
The Assistance Fund provides assistance with 54 different cancer-related medications through their Breast Cancer Copay Assistance Program.
This is an annual program, so you need to reapply for the program or rejoin the waitlist every year.
CancerCare Pet Assistance & Wellness Program
If you share your home with a cat or dog while you’re undergoing cancer treatment, you may be able to get additional assistance from CancerCare’s PAW Program. This program provides financial help for cancer patients with pets.
They can help you with pet food, pet walking or pet sitting, caregiving fees, veterinarian expenses and more. Call the CancerCare hoepline at 800-813-HOPE for details.
Linking ARMS
The Linking ARMS program issues grants to help cover the cost of oral cancer medications, pain and anti-nausea medications, lymphedema support and supplies, and even durable medical equipment. This organization does not help with daily living expenses.
To apply for help from Linking ARMS, you need to call the CancerCare hopeline at 800-813-HOPE.
Local Financial Help for Breast Cancer Patients
Because there is such a demand for financial help for breast cancer patients, many organizations use their limited funds to focus on small geographic areas. The organizations in the remainder of this article only provide support for survivors in certain states.
California
There are many organizations that help breast cancer patients in California.
Breast Cancer Angels (SoCal)
Breast Cancer Angels provides financial assistance to breast cancer patients in Southern California only. If you are eligible, you may be able to get help with housing, clothes, medical copays, transportation, utility payments, food and more.
In order to be eligible, you must live in either Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernadino, or San Diego County. You must be experiencing a financial hardship as the result of your treatment in order to qualify.
Applications to Breast Cancer Angels must be completed by an oncology social worker or patient navigator. You can reach the organization at (714) 898-8900 for details.
Breast Cancer Solutions (SoCal)
Breast Cancer Solutions is another organization that serves southern California. To be eligible, you must live in Orange, San Bernadino, or Riverside Counties.
If you are eligible, this organization may provide temporary financial assistance to help with housing, nutrition, and your out-of-pocket medical expenses related to your treatment. They also provide referrals to other services that can help.
Applications for Breast Cancer Solutions can be requested on their website. You will need to fill out this form and request an application over email or through postal mail.
Support Sisterz (SoCal)
Support Sisterz helps women who are battling breast cancer or gynecological cancer. However, they only serve women who live or work in Corona, Norco, Eastvale or the surrounding area.
This organization can help with housing, basic necessities, insurance premiums or medical bills for eligible patients. You can apply for help on the Support Sisterz website.
Colorado
Sense of Security
Sense of Security provides financial assistance with housing, food, utilities and transportation. They’ve provided over $2.2 million in assistance to more than 2,000 Coloradans! They serve everyone who lives in Colorado, even if you are in a rural area. You can receive up to $3,000 from this organization over the course of six months.
To learn more about their eligibility criteria or to apply for a grant, please visit the Sense of Security website.
Indiana
Cancer Support Community Indiana
The Patient Assistance Fund can provide up to $150 in financial help for breast cancer patients in Indiana. The money is provided in the form of a $50 gas card and $100 grocery gift card.
In order to be eligible, you must be a resident of Indiana with an income that is 300% or less of the Federal Poverty Level. You must be in active treatment for a breast cancer diagnosis.
You can apply by calling (317) 257-1505 to reach the Cancer Support Community Indiana hotline.
Minnesota
Hope Chest for Breast Cancer
Minnesota residents who are undergoing active breast cancer treatment may be able to receive assistance from Hope Chest. This fund has provided more than $2.2 million to over 5,000 Minnesota residents. Among other things, this organization can help with rent, mortgages, car payments, utility bills, daycare costs and nutrition services.
You can access the application on the Hope Chest website. You will need the name and email address of a social worker or health care provider who can confirm your diagnosis and verify your treatment.
Michigan
Shades of Pink Foundation (SE Michigan)
The Shades of Pink Foundation provides financial help for breast cancer patients who live in Southeast Michigan. This organization can help with housing, utilities, car payments, auto repair, insurance payments, transportation costs, child care, and other critical needs.
This organization serves Southeast Michigan, so you need to live in either Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, or Wayne Counties in order to receive help from them.
If you need assistance, ask your health care provider, social worker, or therapist to contact the Shades of Pink Foundation on your behalf. They do not accept applications directly from patients, so you will need to have someone on your health care team contact [email protected] to initiate your application.
New York
SIS: Sustain, Inspire, Survive (Western NY)
The Support Sis Foundation can provide financial help for breast cancer patients who live in the greater Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse area. They specifically serve patients who live in Alleghany, Erie, Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Onondaga, Oneida, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Seneca, Steuben, Yates, Wayne and Wyoming counties.
If you live in their service area, you can receive up to one grant per year to help with your housing, utilities, transportation or treatment expenses. They can help with co-pays, mastectomy products, wigs, headwear or lymphedema products.
You can apply for help on the Support SIS website.
North Carolina
There are so many different grant programs for breast cancer patients in North Carolina that we had to create a separate list. Check our list of grants for North Carolina breast cancer patients for all the resources available to you!
Ohio
Ohio Pink Ribbon Fund (SE Ohio)
The Ohio Pink Ribbon Fund can provide financial help for breast cancer patients who live in Southeast Ohio. This organization distributes grants of up to $500 to help with your health care or living expenses.
In order to be eligible, you must be a breast cancer patient in active treatment. You must live in Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Meigs, Morgan or Washington Counties. You can find the application on the Pink Ribbon Fund website.
Pennsylvania
Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County
This is one of the robust programs I’ve found to help breast cancer patients! This organization provides 12 free support programs for those who have been affected by this disease. In addition to financial services, BCSS offers comfort bags, a free wig and prosthesis bank, a lending library, counseling assistance and more.
The Survivors Financial Aid Fund can provide up to $500 in grants to low income patients who live in Berks County. You must have an income that is 250% of the Federal Poverty Level or less. You will need to print an application from the BCSS website and mail it to their office in order to apply
South Carolina
NothingPink
NothingPink helps people who have tested positive for a BRCA gene mutation, whether you’ve been diagnosed or you’re choosing to undergo an elective preventative surgery because of your positive gene mutation diagnosis. They also provide care packages for those who have had surgery.
This organization can help with medical and household expenses. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live in either North or South Carolina. Click the “Connect with Us” button on the NothingPink website to get started.
Washington
Northwest Hope & Healing
Patients who are undergoing treatment for breast or gynecological cancer at Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle may be able to get financial help from Northwest Hope & Healing. This fund provides immediate grants for help with child care, groceries, housing, and transportation.
Unlike other funds that can take weeks or months, Northwest Hope and Healing issues grants immediately on the spot. Contact their organization for details.
Summary
There are many different organizations that offer financial help for breast cancer patients nationwide. These organizations can help you pay for your health care or your necessary living expenses while you’re undergoing treatment. Contact the organizations on this list for 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.