Resources: Charities and groups on a National Level

[Anissa Mayhew]

Please feel free to post any sort of help for families, whether they are financial, informational, support groups that work on a National basis, like Chemo Angels or Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

[Lisa Deal]

I think the best one out their is nowilaymedowntosleep.org. This is an organization that will come out and take special portraits of your child and family. The sad thing is though your child has to listed as terminal though, but everything is free and it was a wonderful experience fr us. I have some pictures listed on Hannah's website to see what a wonderful job our photographer did...

Also think to list the most important resource that you can try for is SSI Disability. I know that it is not a charity, but so many families quailify and do not know they are eligible for the benefits that fall under it. Medicaid is one of the benefits that fall under the program.

[Anissa Mayhew]

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia and Lymphoma society can give lots of information for families, they also offer limited financial assistance. You will need to download the form frrom their website, take it to your social worker and there will be forms for you to fill out whenever you have expenses that can be covered. There is one form for travel expenses to/from treatments, tolls, parking. There is another form for expenses related to treatment, like prescription costs, labs, marrow transplant and stem cell transplant expenses.

[Anissa Mayhew]

The National Children’s Cancer Society

The National Children’s Cancer Society has information and resources available for families dealing with pediatric cancers. The also offer financial assistance, you can download a form through their website, they get confirmation from your clinic and then will just send you assistance money for estimated expenses during treatments. They will call you and confirm that your child is still in treatment and that the expected expenses they have are still acurate.

[Anissa Mayhew]

The Clayton Dabney Foundation

This is a foundation that helps with wishes and financial assistance for pediatric cancer families who are facing end-of-life struggles and needs. They reach out to families to help with quality of life and final “Everlasting Memory” moments.

[Anissa Mayhew]

Pediatric Cancer Foundation

This group has a goal of a cure for pediatric cancers. They are located in Tampa, but are working to reach out nationwide to fund grants for research in pediatric cancers.

[Anissa Mayhew]

The Silver Lining Foundation

The Silver Lining Foundation is out of Aspen, CO. They have a 6.5 acre ranch that hosts cancer kids and their families at no expense to the family. Some of the things they offer are family retreats, wish fulfillment, assistance with medical expenses not covered by insurance and a scholarship program.

[Anissa Mayhew]

Camp Sunshine

Nestled alongside the shores of beautiful Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine provides respite, support, joy and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families through various stages of a child’s illness. The year-round program is free of charge to all families, and includes 24-hour onsite medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement groups are also offered for families who have lost a child to an illness.

[Anissa Mayhew]

Cancer Care

This is a resource for information for all sorts of cancers, they also provide some limited financial assistance for uncovered medical expenses.

[Anissa Mayhew]

Air Charity Network

All of the charity flight programs have come together under the one blanket name of the Air Charity Network. They provide free flights for families in medical need and compassion flights for military personnel and in case of disaster response.

[Anissa Mayhew]

Kid's Cancer Crusade

Jennifer Lehman runs this program of networking children with pediatric cancer. She also sends out a care package for each new child including some sweet little gifts and hats for those losing their hair.

[Anissa Mayhew]

Chemo Angels

The Chemo Angels program is a wonderful support program where the match up a cancer family with an Angel who volunteers to lift up the family with cards, encouragement and the Angels also send care packages for the children of the family. Most families will have two Angels that are dedicated to their family.