The Pink Fund

SandeeAR

I had to close my home daycare when I started Chemo. I was worried about all the germs.  Turned out right, because I have had a very hard time with WBC.   So I've searched of ways to help us out financially, since we are working on one income.   I ran across this fund.  I'm sending in my info this week.  Thought others might want to check it out. 

http://www.thepinkfund.org/

There are a list of requirements you must meet qualify.  This list those.

Stormynyte

I did their pre qualification form and was denied. It asked me 5 or 6 questions and said I didn't qualify but gave no reason.

dlb823

Sandee, thanks for sharing that info.  Since you had to close your daycare, it sounds like you might also be eligible for SSI/Disability.  Not sure... I'm no expert... but it might be something to check into if you haven't already.    

There have been other local non-profits occasionally mentioned here that help women who are in tx for bc.  You might also want to do a search (search box to upper left) to see if you can find others besides The Pink Fund.  Maybe put in "The Pink Fund" and see if it brings up any threads with other names, or try words like "financial assistance."  If I can remember or find any of them, I'll pop back and post them, but I know they're out there.   (((Hugs)))  Deanna 

dlb823

Here's one I just found for you:  http://mothers-grace.org/

And here's one for anyone having problems paying for tx:  http://saraleeandcarol.org/

SandeeAR

Deanna,   Thanks for the reply.  I have already secured an attorney and applied for SSI/Disability.  But that takes soooo long.  I started Chemo in Sept and still waiting for a reply.

SandeeAR

Just an update.  The day after Christmas, I received an email from the Pink Fund.  It stated that they were paying my Health Insurance for January, $578!!!!!   That is such a big help.  I sent them a reply thanking them for the help. 

Chickadee

Sandee if you haven't heard about your SSDI find the number for your states disability determination board and contact them to be sure they have all your documentation and if they need anything else from you. This is not your local SSA office, it is the state board that makes the determination if you qualify. They then communicate to the SSA if you do.



Wen you applied initially you should have received a letter from the SSA acknowledging that you have started the process and likely an additional questionnaire. If you didn't something has gone awry. You don't mention your Stage, if you are Stage IV there is an expedited process due to what they call compassionate allowance.



Then again some states are woefully backed up.

SandeeAR

Chickadee,  I have heard from them again about a week before Christmas.  They needed a form filled out by one of my doctors.  I sent that in on the 13th for them.  i'm stage 1, grade 3.  I'm not trying to get permanant disability.  Only something to cover the months I've had to close my daycare. (I plan to reopen as soon as I physically can) Being self employed, I have nothing else to fall back on.   And being self employed, I've paid in for this for many years.

Chickadee

You may have an uphill battle as SSDI is for disabilities that will prevent you from working for the long term i.e likely to exceed 12 months or be permanent. Sometimes they will go backwards to the date of onset assuming you are still unable to work due to disabling side effects and can prove you will continue to be unable to work in any capacity.  Stage 1 doesn't typically qualify since recovery is typical at least to a functional level, but you have nothing to lose by trying.

Best wishes going forward.

SandeeAR

I do plan to go back to work.  However, with my job being a home daycare, I could not be around the children most of the time due to low WBC.  Twice I was told  not to leave the house.  Also, I had no one to stay with the kids during the appointments, usually 4-5 days a week for me, again because of the low WBC.  I couldn't just close at all various hours on the parents.

Some self employed can continue to work, computer type jobs, book keeping, etc.  Home daycare and chemo/radiation, just don't mix.

Our lawyer recommended that I apply.  The worst thing that can happen is they turn it down.  Since I have no other short or long term disability to fall back on (being self employed), it was worth a shot.  If they back pay, it will help with the medical bills that have been piling up while I have been unable to work.

hollygolightly

The Pink Fund denied me because I chose reconstruction after a bilateral mastectomy. So, if you want assistance from them and are in "Active Treatment" do not mention that you will be having reconstruction.