Financial assistance for Ovarian ca?

Options
Letlet
Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

I have a family friend who just found out last week that her ovarian cancer has metastasized to her stomach, LN, bladder. She said her onc is giving up on her and she is receiving palliative care. She has no insurance, relatively young (30's or 40's I think)

She will be leaving behind two girls, 7 and 9 and her husband. The news has upset me so deeply.

I know so many resources for BC but not for ovarian. ANy help or advise I would appreciate. I feel so helpless! I want to help her so much. My hubby and I decided to drop off meals but I don't feel it's enough :((

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • BMac
    BMac Member Posts: 650
    edited August 2011

    I'm so sorry for your friend.  How wonderful, caring and helpful you are.  Meals are a great idea.  I'm sure she really appreciates it.  I can tell you as someone who has had ovarian cancer that the lack of support is difficult.  People here complain about all the pink (and I agree with them) but the opposite, hearing nothing about your disease, few support groups because not many women get it and not many survive it is also very difficult.

    Maybe she would appreciate being able to talk to you as well if you feel comfortable doing that.  I know I found a support group of sorts online but the threads are so outdated.  You look at one and then realize that the last post was months ago.  I know my local Canadian Cancer Society now has a support group for ovarian, which they didn't have when I was going through it.  Maybe your local cancer society would be able to help.

    Good luck to you and your friend.  My heart breaks for any women who has to face leaving her children without their mother.

    I guess I didn't answer your original question re financial assistance but really don't have any knowledge in that area.  I assume that you are in the States; I'm in Canada.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tracie23
    tracie23 Member Posts: 598
    edited August 2011

    I am so sorry to hear about your friend.... Call the American Cancer Society sometimes they will have grants to help pay for cancer treatment, and if they don't they can give you info for the area she lives in. I ended up at a county hospital due to insurance issues .... I am so grateful I am there I have over 40K in hospital/chemo bills and they will accept $25.00 a month. So that s something to look into in you area. I hope this helps. I will keep you both in my prayers.

    Tracie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Letlet
    Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
    edited August 2011

    Thank you Tracie :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited August 2011

    Letlet: I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.

    Are you in the US? I belive with any Stage IV cancer, one automatically qualifies for Medicare and that they process the application quickly. Application can be submitted online. You could help her with that. Maybe someone else who has experience with Medicare will comment on this.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Wabbit
    Wabbit Member Posts: 1,592
    edited August 2011

    The automatic qualification is for Social Security Disability benefits - if one meets the qualifications for Social Security coverage, i.e., quarters of work.   And they do fast track that.

    Unfortunately there is a 2 year wait for Medicare coverage after that ... which leaves a big gaping hole unless you have - and can afford - COBRA during that time. 

    Medicaid is another option but it has strict income and asset limits for eligibility.

    Sad situation ... hope somebody can figure out something for her.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories