Total Grants Awarded in September 2016  $11,206.22

Donna A.       

Granted $1,325.92 for Mortgage

Donna is a 52 year old mother of three.  In 2001 she found a lump in her breast and had it removed and a Tram-Flap done.  Then in December 2015, she found another lump in the same breast.  She again had the lump removed and is currently undergoing chemo, radiation and Herceptin treatment.  She had to take a five month unpaid leave of absent from work which put her behind in bills.  “This hardship has left my family struggling and any assistance would be appreciated”.

Kristen B

Granted $250 for Nutrition/Food Assistance

Kristen is a 46 year old mother of three.  She was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer.  She is undergoing chemo at this time.

Anonymous

Granted $480 for Rent

60 years old mother.  Despite having negative mammograms all her life and no family history; in October 2015 at her annual mammogram, it was discovered she had breast cancer.  She was working at a grant-funded job she loved; however it was coming to an end.  “She was an emotional wreck being diagnosed with cancer and her job ending at the same time”.  Her bills have stacked up tremendously causing her to request help that she so proudly would have been giving to others.  She is not at 100% but is working hard to get there and back on her feet. 

Kelly B.

Granted $753.83 for Mortgage

Kelly is a 33 year old single mother of one.  She was diagnosed with Stage III Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in March 2016.  She is employed full time but missed six weeks to have a double mastectomy; she is currently out of sick/vacation time.   She is living paycheck to paycheck and the additional medical costs and loss of income have added to “a financial rough spot”.  She is grateful for any assistance.

Anonymous

Granted $803 for Rent

A 41 year old mother of three.  She was diagnosed with Invasive Carcinoma in 2005.  She completed treatment but the cancer returned in 2012 and again in 2015.  Due to the chemo and radiation treatments, she has many physical complications.  Her major stress is paying her rent and not knowing if she is going to be homeless.

 

Victoria E.

Granted $1,425.84 for Utilities

Victoria is 62 years old.  She was diagnosed with Invasive Carcinoma in April 2016.  She had prior medical issues and is living on Social Security Disability. In addition to her health expenses, other financial burdens have occurred.  She almost lost her house of 20 years but managed to keep her head above water until recently.  “It is depressing and disheartening to be struggling but she believes she can get herself back on the right track”.

Anonymous

Granted $2,348.29 for Medical Bills

She is 62 years old.  She was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer in April 2015.  She noticed changes in her breast and arm for several months but “it was never the right time to see about it”.   She nourished everyone but herself.  She lost her job almost one year before her diagnoses; she went from a working individual to disability in month’s time.  Her mind totally shut down but her family and friends have been there and are still there to support her.  “This journal is so frightening, my faith, family and friends keep me going”.  “I continue to PUSH (pray until something happens) and live each day as a gift.  I press on for this too shall pass”

Anonymous

Granted $404.00 for Rent

Anonymous

Granted $1095.00 for Rent

She is a 43 year old mother of two.  She had two younger friends pass away from cancer with scared her.   She went to her doctor and told her to “check her out completely”.  Her doctor told her it was natural to feel this way considering her two friends passed away from cancer.  She has always gone for medical check ups prior to this and her doctor told her the only thing she has not had was a mammogram so she had one the next day.  “That is where my journey begins.  I feel so hurt like I asked for it”.  She was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer.  She was is a private STNA and was working for an elderly man who passed away.  With this type of job, you never know how long the job will last.  As much as she loves caring and working for other, she is having a hard time dealing with and adjusting to her new situation. “It just does not seem real”.  She is trying to find another job but with her limitations from her treatments, it has been difficult.  She tries to stay strong but in reality she is torn and confused. 

Anonymous

Granted $409.22 for Utility Bills and Gas/Transportation

She is 50 years old. She lost her job when her health started to go last October.  She found a lump in her breast in November 2015 but the cancer was not found until this April.  She was diagnosed with Stage I Invasive Carcinoma in April 2016.  Her husband works full time and they cut their expenses to a minimum but they are still struggling financially. 

Amy S.

Granted $2,714.12 for Medical Bills

Amy is a 42 year old mother of two.  She noticed discoloration on her left nipple in January 2014 and had a 3D mammogram but nothing showed up.  As time went on, her nipple continued to change in color and by December 2014 it began to retract. Since the first mammogram showed nothing and she had no medical insurance, she ignored the situation.  In August 2015, her nipple progressed into a completely inverted nipple with extreme sharp, shooting pains.  She had two mammograms on August 31st and the next day she was diagnosed with Stage I Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.  Her children are active with school activities and she is struggling financially to support their needs.

Total Grants Awarded in March 2016   $9,562.70

Kristen B.       

Granted $1,326.78 for Mortgage

Kristen is a 41 year old mother of two with an infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the left breast diagnosed in 2011.  She found a limp while nursing her daughter who was nine months old at the time. After chemo, a lumpectomy, radiation and Tamoxifin, the prognosis was very good.  In 2015, Kristen began to experience severe back pain and double vision.  Scans revealed she had lesions on her brain and bones and biopsy confirmed that it was mastic breast cancer. Kristen took a leave of absent from work and began treatment right away. Her husband started his own photography business in 2007 and “they never would have dreamed this disease and hardship was in the future”. Kristen is a clinical social worker and always had a passion/drive for helping others, however she is the one who needs the help and kindness of others now to help minimize the stress their financial situation is causing.

Vonda B.

Granted $900 for Rent

Vonda is a 46 year old mother of three. She was diagnosed with Invasive Carcinoma in 2014. She began chemo treatments and was hospitalized several times for transfusions.  In July 2015 she started radiation and found a lump in her armpit. It was discovered the cancer had spread and Vonda underwent many surgeries. She is currently going through chemo and radiation again hoping for a better outcome. Vonda has been a daycare provider for 15 years but has not been able to work since being diagnosed.  It has been a real financial struggle paying her bills and getting to her appointments.

Anonymous

Granted $2,708.96 for Medical Bills

72 year old widow. Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and has been undergoing treatment since 2014.  The cancer has metastasized to her bones thus requiring two separate injections of medication each month. The co-payments are extremely costly for these medications.  She was having difficulty paying the co-payments and told her doctor she no longer wanted the injections. The hospital social worker applied for a grant to help cover the medication last year but the grant was minimal. She will apply again in May 2016 but is not sure if the grant is still viable. 

Anonymous

Granted $548.72 for Car Payment

Anonymous

Granted $803 for Rent

A 41 year old mother of three.  She was diagnosed with Invasive Carcinoma in 2005. She completed treatment but the cancer returned in 2012 and again in 2015. Due to the chemo and radiation treatments, she has many physical complications. Her major stress is paying her rent and not knowing if she is going to be homeless.

 

Edna R.

Granted $620 for Rent

Edna is 56 years old. She has come from a family history of breast cancer.  She was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma is October 2015.  She was in an abusive marriage which was toxic, destructive and stressful. She moved into a relative’s basement while she underwent treatment and surgery and was forced to handle all her finances on her own. Edna has many physical complications as a result of the treatments and surgeries. “The stress of cancer itself and being abused for years is very draining mentally”. 

Anonymous

Granted $422.89 for Car Payment and Insurance

Anonymous

Granted $1,732.32 for Mortgage

50 year old mother of two. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and underwent treatment and surgery. She also experienced financial hardships due to divorce and the close of a business. “Any assistance will help at this time”.

Anonymous

Granted $$250 Gift Card for Nutrition/Food

Toni T.

Granted $0 Gift Card for Nutrition/Food

Toni is 49 years old. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.  Shortly before the diagnoses, her house caught on fire and was a total loss. She moved into her boyfriends but was told she could not longer stay there after her diagnoses. She stayed wherever she could but continued to get sicker and sicker. She almost got to the point she no longer wanted to live. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Andrea W.

Granted $250 Gift Card for Clothing/Household Goods

Andrea is a 34 year old mother of four. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in March 2015.  She was working full time as a painter but lost her job in April 2015. She lost her apartment and moved in with her mother. Her mother helps as much as she could but is disabled herself.