Patient Resources

If you are between the ages of 40 and 64, you may qualify for a screening mammogram, clinical breast exam and Pap test through the PA Department of Health’s  opens in a new windowPA Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Your annual income must be within 250% of poverty, or $31,225 for a single person household or $64,375 for a family of four, for example. Call 800-377-8828 ext. 3020 or email Dolores@PABreastCancer.orgcreate new email for more information.

3D mammograms are covered at no cost to women insured under Pennsylvania law. Click here to find a 3D mammography center near you.

Click here to request a FREE Friends Like Me Care Package

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition provides FREE Friends Like Me care packages for individuals in Pennsylvania who have been diagnosed with breast cancer with in the past six months.  The package contains educational resources as well as small gifts you may find helpful and comforting during your treatment journey. This care package program supports newly diagnosed women at a time when they need it most. You are not alone.

You may be able eligible for FREE breast cancer treatment through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment program (BCCPT). Women who qualify for this coverage can receive free coverage (except for nominal co-payments), including healthcare for medical needs unrelated to the cancer diagnosis, throughout their course of their treatment for breast or cervical cancer. For more information,   opens in a new windowClick here or call our Director of Patient Advocacy, Dolores Magro at 800-377-8828, ext. 3020.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department also answers insurance-related questions and hears complaints. Reach the department on its automated toll-free hotline at 877-881-6388.
Harrisburg - 717-787-2317
Pittsburgh - 412-565-5020
Philadelphia - 215-560-2630

Needy Meds is a nonprofit information service devoted to helping people in need find assistance programs to help them afford their medications and costs related to health care. Simply enter the name of your prescription medication in the search line and all available programs will be shown. For more information, visit the  opens in a new windowNeedy Meds web page.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging website provides a comprehensive listing of opens in a new windowprescription programs in Pennsylvania here.

opens in a new windowKAMM Cares allows breast cancer patients to apply online for small grants to help with bills.

opens in a new windowThe Pink Fund provides 90-day help with non-medical cost-of-living expenses for patient in active treatment.

opens in a new windowLiving Beyond Breast Cancer offers grants from $500 to $1,250 for living expenses ONLY, not for medical costs. To apply, click here.

opens in a new windowPink Daisy Project, (for women under 45 only) offers financial help by providing grocery, restaurant and gas gift cards.

opens in a new windowTa-Ta Rebels, Inc. covers out-of-pocket expenses for breast cancer survivors no longer in treatment.  

opens in a new windowCancer Recovery Foundation provides financial assistance for basic living expenses such as utilities and rent. A doctor or social worker may submit an application on your behalf. For more details, click  opens in a new windowhere or call 717-545-7600.

ASSISTANCE WITH CO-PAYS
opens in a new windowPatient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief Program offers assistance if your income is restricted to 400% of the poverty level. For more information, click  opens in a new windowhere or call 866-512-3861.

opens in a new windowCancer Care Co-Payment Assistance Foundation, offers assistance for co-payment of prescriptions.  For more information, click opens in a new window here or call 866-55-COPAY.

FINANCIAL HELP, REGIONALLY
Blair, Centre, Clearfield & Huntington counties: Bob Perks Fund - 814-231-2692

Delaware Valley (in PA, Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery & Delaware counties; in NJ, Camden, Burlington & Gloucester counties):  opens in a new windowLiving Beyond Breast Cancer Foundation offers financial assistance with some restrictions. Applications are accepted in March, June, September, and December. Click here to apply or call 610-645-4567.

Central PA Only: Vickie’s Angel Walk provides three-month renewable blocks of financial help with everyday bills. Click here for more information or call 717-774-3800 .

Westmoreland County:  The Pink Angel Fund offers help to women in Westmoreland County currently in treatment for breast cancer. The fund, created by Westmoreland Walks, Inc., provides assistance with expenses like groceries, co-pays, lymphedema supplies and meals when patients are too sick to care for their families. If you or a loved one are facing breast cancer and live in Westmoreland County, call (724) 441-4130, email WestmorelandWalks@gmail.comcreate new email or click here to send a message to Westmoreland Walks, Inc. on Facebook. 

opens in a new windowPhilly Patient Ride offers volunteers who drive cancer patients to Philadelphia hospitals for treatment.  The patient must be referred to the program by a health care provider.  For more information, click  opens in a new windowhere or call 215-985-3511.

opens in a new windowAngel Flight East offers air travel to distant cities for medical treatment. Patients must be able to board an aircraft and travel in a single or twin-engine plane. For details, visit the website  opens in a new windowhere or call 610-940-1600.

opens in a new windowPatient Airlift Service provides free volunteer medical flights.  Patients assume the cost of ground transportation at destination and departure locations. Find more information  opens in a new windowhere or call 631-694-7257.

The Road to Recovery program offers rides to cancer patients across the country through the American Cancer Society. To get a ride or give a ride by becoming a volunteer, get more information here or call 1-800-227-2345.

The PA Health Law Project (PHLP) offers advice and advocacy on access to health care for low-income consumers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Contact them at opens in a new windowwww.phlp.org or 1-800-274-3258. PHLP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit law firm that represents Pennsylvanians who need help getting or keeping Medicaid (also known as Medical Assistance or MA).  

Cancer Legal Resource Center
866-THE-CLRC ( 866-843-2572)
Thedrlc.org/cancer
Information and resources about cancer-related legal issues

opens in a new windowClick here for a list of wig and prosthesis boutiques 

opens in a new windowFriends Are By Your Side lists hundreds of salons nationwide (including dozens in Pennsylvania) that have joined together to offer FREE wigs and beauty services in their salons for cancer patients. For more information, click  opens in a new windowhere.

opens in a new windowPink Heart Funds offers free wigs, post-mastectomy bras and prostheses (prescription required). For more information, click  opens in a new windowhere or call 228-575-8299.

Sparkle My Head Scarves offers beautiful head scarves (with a little bling!) on its website.  Finished with treatment? Take part in the "Pass on the Sparkle" program by donating your gently used head scarf to be used in our free Friends Like Me care packages for newly diagnosed women.  Click here for more information.

In the Pittsburgh area, within 412 and 724 area codes, Hair Peace Charities offers $200 for women and girls in the Western PA region to purchase a wig when insurance does not help them. Contact them at  opens in a new windowwww.hairpeace.org or 412-327-5177. Some, but not all, insurance policies cover the cost of wigs if the request is from a physician and worded as a “cranial prosthesis.”

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) applies to taking care of yourself as well as others. To qualify, your place of employment must have 50 or more employees and you must have worked there for at least 12 consecutive months. The act requires your employer to provide 12 work weeks of unpaid leave time. Details are on the opens in a new windowDepartment of Labor website.