(WWJ) -- A breast cancer diagnosis can lead to financial challenges in areas other than treatment -- like car or home payments -- and The Pink Fund wants to help.
Women who are receiving breast cancer treatment can now apply for non-medical financial assistance grants through The Pink Fund.
The non-profit organization that provides financial help to breast cancer patients, has announced their 2021 applications are now open.
The Pink Fund plans to distribute $250,000 to qualifying patients across Michigan. Those who qualify could receive up to $3,000 over 90 days for non-medical expenses, ranging from housing, transportation, utilities and insurance. Payments are made directly to patients' creditors.
Founder Molly MacDonald says in some cases, they can go over the roughly $3,000 cap.
"Our goal is to make that mortgage or rent payment," MacDonald told WWJ Health Reporter Dr. Deanna Lites.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, back in 2019, estimated that more than 9,000 Michigan women would be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of the year.
MacDonald, a breast cancer survivor, founded The Pink Fund in 2006. The organization provides between $60,000 and $85,000 in financial assistance to breast cancer patients each month.
Officials say The Pink Fund will have provided $5 million in support to those in need by the end of June 2021.
MacDonald was first diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2005. She had her first surgery on May 5, 2005, and by June her home went into foreclosure. With no savings, child support or alimony post-divorce, MacDonald spent weeks standing in line at a food bank to feed her five children. Also known as financial toxicity, MacDonald suffered from the emotional, mental and physically debilitating — and often life-threatening — financial effects and burdens induced by cancer treatment. It was from her own experience with financial toxicity that led MacDonald to founding The Pink Fund.
"It was from my own personal experience with breast cancer that I realized how badly an organization like this was needed," said Molly MacDonald, founder of The Pink Fund. "I've met so many incredible women over the years who suffer from financial hardship while undergoing treatment. Not only are these women fighting to stay alive, but they are fighting to stay afloat."
Patients applying for support from The Pink Fund must currently be in treatment for breast cancer.
More information on applying for financial assistance can be found on The Pink Fund website.
