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Local Resources

Thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors, our Affiliate is able to fund many breast-health and breast cancer-related programs in this area.

 

 Komen Central Valley Grantees FY 2012/2013

California Health Collaborative- Patient Navigation and Support Project- $46,277    Program will provide culturally appropriate breast health/cancer education, care coordination/navigation, practical support, and financial assistance to both symptomatic individuals and breast cancer patients in Fresno County. The Project will target low-income, uninsured symptomatic individuals throughout Fresno County that do not qualify for any government programs that need diagnostic services to increase early detection of breast cancer and access to care. The Project will also target diagnosed breast cancer patients that need care coordination, emotional support, and financial assistance in order to increase treatment compliance and long-term survival.    244-4554 or 888-921-7465

Clovis Community Medical Center-Lymphedema Clinic:  Effective and Timely Treatment of Lymphedema, Axillary Web Syndrome and Related Conditions Regardless of the Ability to Pay for Services or of Cultural Barrier-$48,052    Program will provide treatment to underserved breast cancer survivors who have been diagnosed with lymphedema.  324-4057

Disability Legal Rights Center – Cancer Legal Resource Center:   Navigating Breast Healthcare Options in Fresno County-$47,090    Provider of free information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to breast cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and others. Those who do not have adequate information about their legal rights and options are less likely to receive optimum health care and are more prone to experience increased stress and less positive survivorship outcomes.  Download Legal Resource Guide to Navigating Breast Care in Fresno County HERE    866-843-2572

Fresno Health Consumer Center, a project of Central California Legal Services, Inc.:  Breast Cancer Education Project-$44,989    The culturally diverse staff is trained to assist families with health care access issues in their own language. Individuals served represent an ethnically diverse clientele, with an increasing number of residents for whom English is a second language.  Will provide advocacy and educational breast cancer awareness services and offer free mammograms for men and women in Fresno County through the administration of the $200 Challenge funds raised from Komen Central Valley Race for the Cure.    570-1266

Hinds Hospice: Palliative Care/Hospice for Breast Cancer Patients-$45,601    Financial assistance to help offset the unreimbursed cost of care provided to the uninsured or underinsured terminally ill breast cancer patients who are in need of Hospice Care in Fresno County.    226-5683

West Fresno Health Care Coalition:  Body and Soul United-$48,041    This program is a community and faith-based partnership project working with predominately African American churches for increasing awareness on breast health education and services.  Body and Soul United focuses on culturally appropriate breast health targeting women in the medically underserved community of Southwest Fresno.    264-7185

 

 

Mammograms/Clinical Breast Exams Cancer Detection Programs Every Woman Counts

 Cancer Detection Programs:
Every Woman Counts

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is pleased to announce that the Cancer Detection Programs: Every Woman Counts (CDP: EWC) will open enrollment December 1, 2010 to eligible women age 40 and older for breast cancer screening and diagnostic services.

The Cancer Detection Programs: Every Woman Counts (CDP: EWC) provides free clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams and Pap tests to California’s underserved women.

Breast Cancer Screening Information

Do you qualify for free services? You may if you:
- are 40 years old or older
- have low income (CDP: EWC Income Criteria [PDF, New Window])Opens a new browser window.
-have medical insurance that does not cover breast cancer screening
- have a high insurance deductible or co-payment
- are not getting these services through Medi-Cal or another government-sponsored program
- live in California

Cervical Cancer Prevention Information

Do you qualify for free services? You may if you:
- are 25 years old or older
- have low income (CDP: EWC Income Criteria [PDF, New Window])Opens a new browser window.
- have medical insurance that does not cover cervical cancer prevention screening
- have a high insurance deductible or co-payment
- are not getting these services through Medi-Cal or another government-sponsored program
- live in California
Call 1-800-511-2300 Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.

We speak English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Vietnamese. If you qualify, you will be referred to participating doctors in your neighborhood.

If you don't qualify, the CDP: EWC representative for your area may know of other low-cost screening programs that might be available to you.  The Regional Contractors are also your link to support groups, advocacy groups and the latest information on what's happening in your community.
Treatment Information
If you are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer:

Free treatment is available to all Californians who qualify through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program.  Information on this program is available on Medi‑Cal's website or call 1-800-824-0088 to speak with an eligibility specialist.

Cleaning for a A Reason Foundation
Fighting cancer is difficult enough, but living with it is even tougher - and that's where the Cleaning for A Reason Foundation steps in.  This  nonprofit offers free professional housecleaning, and maid services to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment for cancer - any type of cancer.  This organization partners with professional residential maid services who are insured and bonded to participate in our foundation.
The companies have agreed to take 2 patients at a time and offer four free general cleanings – one a month for four months as a way to give back to their community.  Click HERE to find out more!

 

Local Support for Breast Cancer Survivors by Breast Cancer Survivors

Sisterhood of Survivors is a Fresno-based 501c3 organization committed to assisting newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and survivors.  A breast cancer survivor member of the Sisterhood of Survivors delivers educational "totes" to the recently diagnosed, enabling survivors the opportunity to reach out to others as they begin treatment.  SOS provides educational luncheons, volunteer opportunities, newletters and most importantly support and friendship.  Click HERE to contact and learn more

Benefits for Breast Cancer Patients
Linking A.R.M.S.
Assistance and Resources Made Simple
A program for medically underserved women made possible through a partnership between CancerCare and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Provides financial assistance, education and support services to low-income, under- or uninsured women across the county who qualify. Patients can access the Linking A.R.M.S. program by calling Susan G. Komen for the Cure® , Toll-Free, National Breast Care Helpline at 1-877-GO KOMEN or call CancerCare at 800-813-HOPE

HealthWell Foundation
The HealthWell Foundation^® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2003 that is committed to addressing the needs of individuals with insurance who cannot afford their copayments, coinsurance, and premiums for important medical treatments. Our vision is to ensure that no patient goes without health care because they cannot afford it.  Check for eligibility  http://healthwellfoundation.org/ 

Pharmaceutical Co-Pay Assistance
PAF Co-Pay Relief Program
The PAF Co-Pay Relief Program (CPR) currently provides financial assistance to eligible patients who are being treated for breast, lung, kidney, colon and/or prostate cancers, sarcoma, lymphoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and secondary issues as a result of chemotherapy treatment.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure has provided Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) with additional funding to provide co-payment assistance for qualified patients with breast cancer for pharmaceutical co-payments incurred by insured patients, including new Medicare Part D beneficiaries diagnosed with breast cancer.
Patients must financially and medically qualify to access co-payment assistance. How to request financial assistance
Patients and physicians can contact the PAF Co-Pay Relief Program toll-free at
1-866-512-3861 to initiate a request for assistance. Patients who contact PAF Co-Pay Relief Program for assistance work directly with a call counselor throughout the application process. The patient completes an application on the phone with a call counselor .The completed application is then sent to the caller/applicant for review and signature. The PAF CPR call counselor works directly with the patient as well as the provider of care to obtain necessary medical, insurance and income certification in an expeditious manner.

 

Clinical Trials

What is a Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials are carefully controlled research studies in which people volunteer to participate.  These studies test the safety and potential benefits of new ways to prevent, diagnose or treat disease.  They also identify risks that may not yet be known.  Clinical trials have led to many medical advances, such as screening mammography, lumpectomy and the use of tamoxifen.  There are three main types of clinical trials:
Phase I tests to see if a new treatment is safe for humans and to look for early signs of effectiveness.
Phase II tests to see if the treatment works for a specific disease.
Phase III compares the effectiveness of the new treatment against a standard treatment.

Following a breast cancer diagnosis, you are faced with many decisions.  One of the most important decisions is about treatment.  Clinical trials are an excellent way to receive treatment, but may not be an option for everyone.  With the help of your doctor, you can make an informed choice.

For clinical trials within a 100 mile radius, please click HERE 

For breast specific clinical trial information, please click HERE  

For all clinical trial information, please click HERE 

Download Facts for Life-Clinical Trials HERE  

Visit komen.org for Facts for Life for all information breast cancer related HERE

 

 

 

Financial Resources for People Living with Breast Cancer

There are many financial resources to help people with breast cancer.

The first place you can turn to for advice is a trusted health care provider. Physicians, nurses and social workers can all provide information and advice about financial matters. Hospital discharge planners, patient relation offices, patient service offices, social workers and patient navigators at hospitals or managed care organizations may be helpful too. For questions about specific insurance policies, state insurance agencies and insurance companies can be helpful.

Many state and national organizations provide information about financial assistance and insurance. Some of these are listed below along with resources to help with travel, lodging and medical items, including prescription drugs.

Information on financial issues and insurance

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Gives detailed information on Medicare and other health insurance programs for people over 50.
888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277)
www.aarp.org/health

American Cancer Society's "Taking Charge of Money Matters"
Offers a series of booklets on financial topics for people living with cancer.
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
www.cancer.org

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Publishes the booklets "Working It Out: Your Employment Rights as a Cancer Survivor" and "What Cancer Survivors Need to Know About Health Insurance".
301-650-9127
www.canceradvocacy.org

Patient Advocate Foundation
Offers legal and advocacy help when disputing insurance claim denials and provides financial assistance information.
800-532-5274
www.patientadvocate.org

HealthWell Foundation
The HealthWell Foundation^® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2003 that is committed to addressing the needs of individuals with insurance who cannot afford their copayments, coinsurance, and premiums for important medical treatments. Our vision is to ensure that no patient goes without health care because they cannot afford it. 
http://healthwellfoundation.org/

Social Security Administration
Find your local social security office.
http://www.ssa.gov/

US Department of Health and Human Services: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Provides information on choosing a health plan.
www.ahrq.gov/consumer/cc/cc060308.htm

US Department of Health and Human Services: Medicare
Provides detailed information on the Medicare health insurance program, including Medicare prescription drug plans.
800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227)
www.medicare.gov

Transportation assistance

American Cancer Society’s “Road to Recovery”
Provides local transportation to and from cancer treatments.
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
www.cancer.org

Air Charity Network
Provides air travel to treatment centers.
877-621-7177
www.aircharitynetwork.org

CancerCare
Offers limited financial help to cover treatment-related transportation and childcare costs.
800-813-HOPE (800-813-4673)
www.cancercare.org

Corporate Angel Network
Provides air travel to treatment centers.
866-328-1313
www.corpangelnetwork.org

National Patient Travel Center
Provides air travel to treatment centers.
800-296-1217
www.patienttravel.org

Raquel’s Wings for Life
Provides air travel to treatment centers.
940-627-1050
www.raquelswingsforlife.com

Lodging assistance

American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodges
Provide lodging for families during cancer treatment.
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
www.cancer.org/

Health care assistance (medical items and prescription drugs)

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
Provides wigs, prostheses and mastectomy bras for women with limited financial resources.
800-221-2141
www.y-me.org

CancerCare Co-payment Assistance Foundation
Offers health insurance co-payment assistance to breast cancer patients undergoing some types of chemotherapy.
866-55-COPAY (866-552-6729)
www.cancercarecopay.org

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and CancerCare’s Linking A.R.M.S.™
Linking A.R.M.S.™ is a partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and CancerCare. For those who are eligible, Linking A.R.M.S.™ provides financial assistance grants of up to $350. These grants can be used for oral chemotherapy and hormonal therapy medications, pain and anti-nausea medication, medical equipment and lymphedema support and supplies.
1-877-GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636)
www.cancercare.org

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief Program
The Co-Pay Relief Program (CPR) is a partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). CPR provides direct financial support for pharmaceutical drug co-payment assistance to insured patients, including those with Medicare Part D, who qualify. This program offers call counselors who personally guide patients through the enrollment process.
866-512-3861
www.copays.org

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)
Offers low-cost and free prescription drug programs for those with limited income
888-4PPA-NOW (888-477-2669)
http://www.pparx.org/

NeedyMeds.com
Provides information on how to find pharmaceutical manufacturer assistance programs.
www.needymeds.com