Massive $400 Million Cancer Donation: As a Survivor, What I Would Do With Money To Help People Like Me

Griffin, a 55-year-old hedge fund manager, said he was “honored” to support the “advancing breakthroughs in research and treatment and the outstanding nurses and staff who dedicate their lives to providing compassionate care to those impacted by this disease.”

MSK’s spokesperson Annik Allen told Forbes that the donation will be spent in three ways: Implementing robotics and other new technologies, supporting the 20,000 staff members, and building state-of-the-art facilities that will enable us to provide the very best care.”

This historical gift to MSK is incredible and those are crucial areas to support. While all the specifics have not yet been released, as a cancer survivor myself, I have gained a new perspective on how I would further make use of those resources.

Patient Navigators are Essential

With my imaginary cash, I would use the money to make sure there are enough patient navigators at each and every facility. Patient navigators help guide people through the healthcare system and assist with bill payments, payment plans and offer other financial assistance.

RELATED: A Quick Guide to Getting Help Paying The Cancer Bills

In my case, I had a patient navigator introduce herself while I was going through one of my 20 rounds of chemotherapy at my treatment center. Had I not had this friendly woman with a beautiful smile come up to me, introduce herself and patiently assist me, I would still have roughly $30,000 to pay off. “It will only take a few minutes,” she said, as she encouraged me to fill out paperwork to see if I qualified for financial assistance. It was during the pandemic and I was out of a job at the time, so it turned out I did.

Like many others, I had no idea that these programs at hospitals existed, and the weight that was lifted off of me was indescribable. I try to educate about this as much as possible.

I applaud people around the world making a difference in large-scale ways, but I think about the newly-diagnosed people who are struggling at this very moment, who may need immediate help with their day-to-day in order to fight their disease as best as possible with as little stress as possible. So more patient navigators, for me, would be on the top of my list to hire at each and every medical facility.

Fertility Treatment Coverage

Another major hurdle that women go through when navigating a cancer diagnosis is how to come up with funds for fertility treatment if they make the decision to preserve their eggs. Again, I am so thankful for my hospital because one of the first questions my doctor asked me is, “Do you have kids?” No. “Do you want kids?” I mean, I would at least like the option!

So I was fast-tracked through the fertility process. Not only was I already dealing with a cancer diagnosis, but having to go through that emotional hormone whirlwind prior to starting treatment was pretty next level. Little did I know that most of the cost would not be covered by my insurance. I needed cash and I needed it fast. Around $30,000. So throw that into the mix and it was a two-week tailspin.

RELATED: Preserving Your Fertility Before Ovarian Cancer Surgery

As a media and PR professional, I did what I do best, only this time it was for myself — I started my own fundraiser. I was able to come up with the money for the extremely pricey fertility drugs, along with the cost of the surgery.

Bottom line, this should not be something that women have to face, especially after a cancer diagnosis. Not only can cancer take our life, but our ability to create life. That needs to be protected as well. So I would make sure to allocate some of the money to women’s fertility. It’s one of the most painful things to deal with in the wake of cancer treatment. All women should have the option to preserve their fertility.

Helping Out in Smaller Ways Can Be Huge

For people who are interested in much smaller donations and making a difference in a cancer patient’s life, I would ask questions like:

• Do you have enough healthy foods?
• Do you need help paying your rent, your utilities?
• Do you have any out-of-pocket medical expenses?
• Are you in need of a certain treatment that you can’t afford?
• Do you need daycare, help taking care of your pets, comfortable bedding or clothes?
• Money for gas to get you to treatment or a ride?

These are all the basic essentials that many people are struggling with every day, and for cancer patients, the most important thing that we can do for them is to try to help out in as many areas of their life as we can.

RELATED: TV Host Maria Menounos Is ‘Cancer-Free’ After Latest Scans & Thanks Support Group for Helping Her Through ‘Health Battles’

As I battled breast cancer during COVID, I oddly found myself very fortunate. When life shut down and I got laid off, along with millions of others, I was able to go on disability during chemotherapy. I will never forget how wonderfully peaceful that felt. Sure, there were still a lot of dark nights, but to simply have the luxury of being able to fight and that’s it? That was lucky.

Still, I used my time wisely. I took some online classes to busy my brain and wrote a lot about my journey, and that is how my cancer survivor crusade started.

Can Financial Stress Be More Crippling than Cancer?

As life came back, and thankfully, so did I after nearly a year of treatment, it was time to get back to reality. Financial stress while I no longer had active cancer was more crippling than actually going through cancer. There was a bit more fear.

I would cross paths with other women who were going through what I had, except they had three kids and had no choice but to work. I couldn’t imagine the stress of that after experiencing the polar opposite. It would even make me feel guilty at times.

RELATED: ‘Home Alone’ Star Ken Hudson Campbell Overjoyed By Financial Help From Fans As He Fights Cancer

That is why I am even more intent on giving back, and while I may not have a $4 million dollar donation (yet!) I know that I can still make a difference in some of the smaller ways that I mentioned.

Even if I’m only able to help one person — that’s one less person struggling a little less with this disease.

Help Navigating Finances

Many survivors say that paying for cancer treatment ends up being more challenging than the treatment itself.

It’s rare for health insurance companies to pay for 100 percent of cancer treatment costs, which can be rough for many, and that’s if you’re fortunate enough to have insurance. Another positive element for me going through cancer during the pandemic is that it was easier for me to get help through my hospital’s patient assistance program, which covered a lot of my bills.

I’d like to help navigate you through some of this process and provide resources.

How to Get Help With the Cancer Bills

Your Doctor Can Help

Many doctors will help advocate for you with your insurance company or steer you to a social worker at your cancer care clinic who can assist further in this area.

Sarah Stapleton, a licensed clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, tells SurvivorNet that it’s “really important when you’re starting treatment to speak with someone and a social worker is a good place to start.”

Stapleton adds that grant funding may even be available for your treatment. Patient advocacy groups in your community and church programs can be another area of support. Numerous drug companies and clinical trials also offer patient assistance programs, which you may be eligible for.

Navigating the Costs of Treatment: How a Social Worker Can Help

Here are some examples or programs and organizations that may be able to help with bills associated with cancer treatment:

• The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition can direct patients and their families to available local services.
• Many treatment centers offer extended payment plans and some may offer temporary payment delays, according to the American Cancer Society, which offers a 24/7 helpline.
• CancerCare, which connects patients with oncology social workers, may be able to assist with co-pays, transportation, and other costs associated with care.
• The HealthWell Foundation may be able to help uninsured patients pay for treatment.
• The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) works with patients and their insurance companies to resolve issues and may provide direct financial support to some patients.
• The Patient Access Network Foundation may be able to help with out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer treatment.

Help With Food

Food assistance may be available to people going through cancer treatment, along with their caregivers. Look into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program aka SNAP or a program like Meals on Wheels.

Remember, help is always within reach to help minimize some of the stress.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, ask a family member or friend, along with your doctor, for some help getting organized and going through your options.

 

 

 

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.