FINANCIAL, MEDICATION, AND TRAVEL ASSISTANCE

Learn all about the financial support offered by these nonprofit organizations' programs and the application requirements for making a request, plus learn how you could advance their fundraising efforts:

MEDICAL-RELATED AND LIVING EXPENSES:

>>  A Cure In Sight's Ocular Melanoma Financial Assistance

"Financial help to patients struggling with the costs of ocular melanoma."

>>  Christine Fox Frauenheim Foundation's Ocular Melanoma Financial Assistance

"Support families and individuals facing financial difficulties related to their illness." (Note: Also provides assistance to those with other cancer diagnoses.)

MEDICAL TRAVEL EXPENSES:

>>  Eye On Grace Foundation's Ocular Melanoma Travel Assistance Grant

"Help alleviate the financial burden of treatment-related travel for those diagnosed with ocular/uveal melanoma."

​>>  ​Ocular Melanoma Foundation's ​Travel Assistance Grant

"Financial aid for ocular melanoma treatment-related travel." 

EYE CARE EXPENSES:

>>  Ocular Melanoma Foundation's Free Eye Exam Program

"Get a free dilated eye exam at the provider of your choice." (Note: Anyone can apply to participate in this program, not only OM patients.)

​>>  Ocular Melanoma Foundation's Prosthetic Eye Assistance Grant

"Financial assistance for OM-related doctor-prescribed ocular and facial prosthetics." 

Nonprofit Organizations Providing SEARCHABLE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DATABASES for Medical Care and Daily Living Needs: 

>>  Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition

CFAC provides a searchable online database in order to "find assistance from organizations providing financial or practical help."

​>>  FamilyReach.org

Enter your zip code to "search for resources that help with everyday costs during cancer treatment like food, housing, transportation, utilities, and more."

​>>  Patient Advocate Foundation

"PAF's National Financial Resource Directory helps individuals quickly generate a list of national and regional resources that are dedicated to improving access to quality care and decreasing the financial burden of medical treatment."

​>>  Triage Cancer

"Searching for financial assistance while dealing with cancer can be taxing. This section of the Toolkit will help you find the resources you need." 

Nonprofit Organizations Focusing on PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS ASSISTANCE:

​>>  MedicineAssistanceTool.org

"Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America's Medicine Assistance Tool is a search engine designed to help patients, caregivers, and health care providers learn more about the resources available through the various biopharmaceutical industry programs." 

>>  NeedyMeds.org

"NeedyMeds is an online information resource of programs." In the "Do you need help with the cost of your medications?" section, you will find "Patient assistance programs" for prescriptions; "Organizations in your area that assist patients with completing prescription assistance program applications"; and "Coupons and rebates information."

>>  SIRUM.org

"You may be able to access free or affordable medicine," See also their nationwide links to nonprofit pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, and free community clinics. 

AIR TRAVEL:

​>>  Air Care Alliance

"Volunteer Pilot Organizations help patients in need access distant medical care or supportive services by arranging free flights through volunteer pilots."

​>>  Air Charity Network

"Comprised of network member organizations who cover specific geographical service areas and coordinate volunteer pilot flights."

​>>  Corporate Angel Network

"Helps cancer patients access the best treatment by arranging free travel on corporate aircraft."

​>>  Mercy Medical Angels

"We provide assistance in the air with commercial airline tickets and volunteer pilots and on the ground with gas cards and bus and train tickets."

​>>  Miracle Flights

"Provides free commercial airline tickets to those in need of life-changing medical care far from home."

​>>  PALS SkyHope

"Network of volunteer pilots provide free regional medical flights [in Eastern United States]."

​>>  Southwest Airlines Medical Transportation Grant Program

"Patients and/or caregivers seeking assistance need to contact the program partners directly." Hospitals, listed by state at this link, "determine how to distribute the tickets."

LODGING:

>>  American Cancer Society

Each ACS Hope Lodge [currently 31 locations] "offers a [free] home away from home for people facing cancer and their caregivers when cancer treatment is far away."

​>>  Fisher House Foundation

"If you or someone you love is receiving care at a VA or military medical center, check the list of current houses. There is never a charge to stay."

​>>  Healthcare Hospitality Network

"Our members provide lodging and support services to patients and their caregivers while they are receiving medical treatment away from their home communities."

​>>  Joe's House

"We list cancer treatment centers and hospitals across the country with nearby lodging facilities that offer a discount."

​>>  Open Arms Foundation

"The entire rent [at MAA's apartment communities in 12 U.S. states], along with basic utilities, are paid for. Guests must be referred through their treatment facility."

​>>  There may also be nonprofit organizations that focus on providing assistance with medical-related lodging in specific communities. Here are three that EyeMelanoma.org is aware of:

Hospitality Homes — Lodging near Boston, Massachusetts

Hosts for Hospitals — Lodging near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hosts for Humanity — Lodging near Baltimore, Maryland

Also, check with the medical center you are traveling to — through its information desk and website — about potential lodging assistance from nonprofit organizations, special discounts or free lodging options, and any other lodging recommendations for their geographic area.

If you are unable to drive and do not have someone who can take you to your non-emergency medical appointments, there may be several possibilities for local assistance at no cost or low cost: 

1) Your County's Nonprofit Organizations

In addition to the American Cancer Society, a variety of organizations in your community may have volunteer drivers or reduced-cost transportation programs.

>>  American Cancer Society's "Road to Recovery" Program in Your Area

"The Road To Recovery Program eases your burden by giving free rides to cancer-related medical appointments. Our trained volunteer drivers are happy to pick you up, take you to your appointment, and drop you off at home."

>>  Rides in Sight Database

This nationwide nonprofit transportation network is "dedicated to helping individuals find reliable local transportation options tailored to their unique needs," including for medical appointments. (Note: Database search choices allow for "no-cost" options or "show all.")

2) Your County's Paratransit Services

An online search using your county’s name followed by the word "paratransit" should bring up information on your local paratransit services. DisabilityRightsTX.org provides nationwide details about eligibility and services in the following guide:

>>  "What is Paratransit Service and How Can I Get It?"

"The Americans with Disabilities Act requires most public transit systems to provide 'paratransit' services. [...] Paratransit provides transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to use the regular, fixed route transit service that serves their region. Paratransit usually provide door-to-door service for people who call to reserve a ride."

3) Your Healthcare Provider

You can ask your healthcare providers whether they offer no-cost-to-you transportation to/from appointments (which they pay for instead). Healthcare providers might have their own programs and/or vehicles in place or might use the medical transportation programs available to them from Lyft or Uber, for example.

4) Your Health Insurance Provider

Depending on your insurance provider, your health coverage may cover transportation costs for certain medical needs. Call your health insurance provider to find out whether they provide no-cost or reduced-cost transportation options and how to access them.