Cancer Care Fund
In South Carolina, it’s estimated that there will be over 33,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed in 2023. *
People who are diagnosed with cancer face tremendous physical, emotional, and financial challenges. While each of these factors can be overwhelming, it is the financial burden that can cause undue stress at a time when the patient needs to focus on hope, health, and healing. To help ease this burden, the CMC Foundation established a Cancer Care Fund. Gifts in any amount to this fund make a positive, practical, difference in the lives of individual cancer patients.
Funding the health needs and critical expenses of those battling cancer
The Cancer Care Fund provides financial assistance for the urgent needs of patients during treatment. Social workers and medical staff at the CMC Cancer Center identify and approve financial assistance through this fund, based on patient needs. Immediate assistance is often provided until other resources can be arranged with other local resources.
FINANCES ARE A BURDENSOME SIDE EFFECT OF CANCER
- 67% of the cost of cancer is non-medical
- 42% of cancer patients deplete their life savings during treatment
- 3% of them file for bankruptcy
- 55% of those living with cancer accrue more than $10,000 in debt
Many patients experience financial challenges while receiving the medical care they need. Even with health insurance, most people will have numerous out-of-pocket costs. The Cancer Care Fund assists patients and their immediate families with expenses such as transportation, groceries, medications, medical supplies, and other necessary needs. It helps with support events for patients and families. The assistance provided by the CMC Foundation and the Cancer Care Fund helps ease the stress of patients and families facing medical challenges and gives them the ability to focus on their health and well-being.
We depend on community and volunteer support through events, programs, and private donations to help our patients and their families during their cancer battles.
The Cost of Cancer
Everything changes with cancer. Getting the kids ready for school, running errands, and morning meetings that once marked daily life are replaced with weekly, sometimes daily, doctors’ visits.
A new routine quickly emerges- one that often results in a patient pressing pause on their life. This sudden loss of income paired with an increase in expenses due to treatment—like medication copays, travel expenses, and medical supplies—can lead to financial insecurity, and even bankruptcy.
COMMON NON-MEDICAL COSTS
Transportation and travel
These costs depend on where you live and how you get to the CMC Cancer Center. Some examples of transportation and travel expenses include:
- Gas
- Taxi or ridesharing company fares
- Bus fare
- Medical transport services
Family and living expenses
These include costs of household upkeep and family care during cancer treatment. For example:
- Childcare
- Eldercare
- Meals
- In-home help
- Mental health support
Other expenses
Buying things such as wigs, specialty bras, and certain types of foods may all create extra costs for patients. If a person is unable to work due to their treatments, they may also have a hard time paying utility bills and covering other non-negotiable expenses.
Support Our Patients
Help us continue to provide free services to anyone affected by cancer. Your support is vital and we are extremely grateful to our supporters who enable us to make a difference in the lives of people coping with cancer.
WAYS TO GIVE:
Healing Tributes
Purchase a paver at the CMC Cancer Center
Cancer Care Endowments
These provide sustainable support for our Cancer Care programs.