Breast cancer changes our body image, especially when we feel unrecognizable because of our scars. Breast cancer treatment is also expensive. Treating breast cancer leaves many Baddies with an increasing amount of medical bills after many surgeries and doctor’s visits. The mental and financial burdens of breast cancer are overwhelming. FTBOU has compiled a list of nonprofits that fund surgery and prosthetics for breast cancer survivors and thrivers, hoping to connect you with organizations that can help eliminate some of those burdens and rebuild your self-confidence.
SURGERY
Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery (AiRS)
The mission of AiRS is to help women with breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.
Genevieve’s Helping Hands helps extend or enhance recovery from breast cancer treatment at any stage through the Genevieve Memorial Breast Cancer Recovery Grant.
Linked by Pink provides medical grants up to $1,000 per year for those living within 45 miles of Erie, PA, and diagnosed with breast cancer. Medical grants can cover the cost of medical treatment necessary due to: a breast cancer diagnosis, doctor, or therapist co-pays, or office visits, prescribed Lymphedema garments and supplies, prescription and co-pays of medications, medically essential supplies prescribed by a doctor, and medical marijuana as prescribed by a doctor.
Maryland Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment (BCCDT) Program
Under insured or uninsured Maryland residents may qualify for The Maryland BCCDT program, which covers diagnostic mammograms, surgical consultations, breast ultrasound, breast biopsies, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, home health, prescriptions, medical equipment, and supplies (including prosthesis and bras), physical therapy, occupational therapy, wigs, and breast reconstruction.
My Hope Chests funds breast cancer reconstruction for under insured or uninsured breast cancer survivors.
Overcomer’s The Dove Fund is designed to help qualified women with a portion of their co-pays, co-insurance, and/or deductibles directly related to eligible breast cancer treatments. Applicants can receive a benefit of up to $1,000 per calendar year. The Dove Fund covers radiology staging studies following a positive diagnosis of breast cancer, mediport placement, surgical procedures to remove cancer (e.g., single or double mastectomy, lumpectomy, axillary dissection) or biopsy lymph node(s), chemotherapy (oral and/or by infusion)*, immunotherapy, radiation, and stage 1 breast reconstruction in conjunction with a mastectomy or immediately following breast cancer treatment.
The Pretty in Pink Foundation offers financial assistance to North Carolina residents diagnosed with breast cancer. Individuals who are uninsured or underinsured and meet the income requirements may qualify for medical aid for surgery (excluding reconstruction), chemotherapy administration (excluding medications), radiation therapy, office co-pays, co-insurance, insurance premiums, and deductibles, and cobra premiums.
The Breast Cancer Reconstructive Surgery Fund of The Cape Cod Foundation covers costs of unpaid bills that fall outside of insurance coverage, including, without limitation, deductibles, co-payments, and/or all surgical expenses for women who have had all or any part of either or both breasts removed because of a cancer diagnosis for women who live in Barnstable County.
United Breast Cancer Foundation
United Breast Cancer Foundation (UCBF) helps breast cancer survivors and thrivers pay for breast reconstruction surgery within five years of remission.
PROSTHETICS
Awesome Breastforms give free breast forms made of 100% cotton for women who have had breast surgery, including mastectomy, lumpectomy, and explant surgery.
Knitted Knockers provides free knitted and crocheted Knitted Knockers to women who have had a mastectomy.
Pink Heart Funds provides free breast prosthetics to underinsured and uninsured women.
We hope these resources are helpful during and after treatment. You deserve to feel your best without sitting in a pile of medical debt.
