Connect Education Workshops™

Listen in by telephone or online as leading experts in oncology provide up-to-date information about cancer-related issues in one-hour workshops. Podcasts are also available.

Podcasts

For Any Cancer Diagnosis

• Helping Teachers and Educators Support Siblings of Children with Cancer

For Lymphoma

• A Guide for Coping With Childhood Lymphoma, Part II: Survivorship Care for Childhood Lymphoma Survivors
• A Guide for Coping With Childhood Lymphoma, Part I: Understanding Childhood Lymphoma

Ask CancerCare

Every month, featured experts answer your questions about coping with cancer.

For Leukemia

Q. About six months ago, my five-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and I had to leave work to take care of her. Now, I'm struggling financially and need help paying the bills. Where can I get help?

A.

Children with cancer typically undergo an intense treatment schedule and their care can become a full-time job in itself for the parent or guardian. Unexpected expenses can range from uncovered treatment costs to transportation and childcare, as well as those of daily living, which also especially difficult to meet when there is a loss of income.

CancerCare, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the National Children’s Cancer Society, offer limited financial assistance for some treatment and treatment-related expenses for eligible families. The American Childhood Cancers Organization also provides a listing of possible resources.

Ask the social worker at your child’s treatment center for information on organizations in your community that assist children with serious illnesses. In addition, many large treatment centers have special funds for children to help defray the cost of treatment and related costs. Make sure you inquire about whether your treatment center has such a fund, and how you might qualify.

Finding help with the expenses of daily living is more challenging. A possible resource includes the 211 referral line of your local United Way which provides links to community programs that may offer financial assistance or practical help. You can also try negotiating payment plans for your monthly bills with your utility company, phone provider and other creditors, who may also offer assistance programs to people in need.

For additional guidance, please read our fact sheet, Sources of Financial Assistance.

Answered by
Jane Levy, LCSW-R, Director of Patient Assistance Programs

∞ Direct link to this question

Tags:leukemia children financial assistance childhood cancers