Financial Support

The Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation is pleased to announce that it has recently launched a pilot financial assistance program as a way to assist brain tumor patients and their families who are struggling with two battles – one against the disease and one against the financial burdens associated with the disease and treatments. The purpose of this initiative, which has been dubbed the ”Whatever It Takes Initiative,“ is to level the playing field and empower patients to engage in the battle against their brain tumor with sufficient resources and to enable them to enjoy precious time with their loved ones during their overwhelming journey.

Fortunately, when Kelly became ill, her husband, Chris, had the kind of job and circumstances that enabled him to fully join Kelly in her valiant fight and to take advantage of the time they had together. We, at the Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation, believe that everyone deserves this same opportunity, and have worked diligently to create an application process that enables patients and their families to apply to the Foundation for financial assistance.

Sadly, due to limited funding and overall resource constraints, the Board of Directors was forced to put some parameters in place for the pilot/test program. Specifically, applications will be restricted to residents of the following geographic areas and also applications will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Western New York
• Delaware

If you would like to find out more about the parameters of the “Whatever It Takes Initiative” or to obtain an application, please email Program Chairperson, Dora Temple at dora.temple@khgbraintumorfoundation.org

If you are not in the aforementioned geographic areas and therefore are ineligible for our program, the following is a list of other organizations that offer programs that may be able to help you.

1. Cancer Care gives help nationally to those affected by cancer and can be reached at: 1-800-813-hope or www.cancercare.org
2. The National Brain Tumor Foundation (San Francisco, CA) and the Brain Tumor Society (Boston, MA) have merged into a new, national organization called the National Brain Tumor Society. The merger is designed to bring greater collaboration for progress on brain tumor issues - both the development of research into new treatments and to assist patients,
   survivors and families who are coping with this devastating diagnosis. For
   more information on the newly-formed National Brain Tumor Society, visit:
   www.braintumor.org or contact them at 1-800-934-2873.
   
   National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) has a financial assistance program to help brain tumor patients nationwide and details about this program can be obtained by calling NBTS at 1-800-934-2873. In addition, NBTS also has a comprehensive list of other organizations that may also be able to provide some type of financial support, as well. For more information on these organizations, please visit: www.braintumor.org/FinancialResources.
3. The Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases. They can be reached at: 800-532-5274 or www.patientadvocate.org.
4. The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults offers several scholarships that support the financial needs of young adults whose lives have been impacted by cancer and are seeking a higher education. For more information, visit their website at: www.ulmanfund.org.
5. Friends4Michael Foundation provides supplementary financial assistance to families with financial needs resulting from expenses associated with their child’s brain tumor treatment. This program covers specific non-medical costs related to a primary brain tumor diagnosis. Direct medical expenses are not covered. For more information, visit their website at www.friends4michael.org.