I just recieved a call from my grandfather reguarding my anut. She has been diganosed with cancer of the mouth and it is a fairly agressive cancer, and she has been undergoing kemo. The reason that he clled me was to ask if I could help him find an orginazion that helps with the medical bills because she has been disabled most of her life and has no medical insurrence. As you know the medical cost can approach the 6 figure mark really fast and we don't know what were gonna do. So if any of you guys know of some orginizations or foundations that might be able to help I would appericate it.

So sorry to hear about your aunt. I don't know of any organizations that might assist..I'm sure you already seached the net. My Dad survived lung cancer, has been in remission almost 5 yrs. Medicare paid most of the bills (all but 20%) Hospital stay, Dr.appts. chemo and radiation treatments, plus nurse visits to the house, ended up costing him about 5k out of pocket. He then explained to Dr's etc. that being on fixed income the 5k was quite a hardship. Most of them gave him "professional courtesy" discount. All tolled, it cost him about 3k. Hope this helps. My best to you and your family during this difficult time.

If she has been disabled then she is on Social security and Medicare and as mentioned should cover most of the cost. Call the Social Security office near you there. See what they say. Also ask the hospital what are options when she has no assets.
If she has assets, they might be able to tap into those too, its a big puzzle in cases like that but sure hope things turn around for her.

thanks guys

Very sorry to hear of your aunt's battle. I understand your situation because my wife, sister-in-law and two co-workers were all diagnosed last year. This week my mother-in-law was diagnosed with stage 3B lung cancer.

Usually locally each community have foundations that will assist with the high costs of cancer treatment. Check with your local hospitals and search your local foundations on the internet.
Try this link to the American Cancer Society, it may help at least explain what her options are for financial assistance:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MLT/content/MLT_1x_Medical_Insurance_and_Financial_Assistance_ for_the_Cancer_Patient.asp?sitearea=&level=1


If she needs air travel to major cities for treatments check with the Corporate Angel Network. They have a website and match up patients with corporate flight departments aircraft to provide air transportation free of charge to cancer patients. We've flown more cancer patients than any of the other participating companies.

Wish I had more information for you than that.

Sorry to hear about your aunt. I'm sure there are some tough times ahead. I can't tell you where to go for help with payment of her bills but I can second the suggestion of SY1 that Corporate Angel Network is a great way to safely get her to a larger city for better treatment. We have been flying patients for them for 10+ yrs and it is very rewarding when you get a smile and a thank you and knowing that you helped make that patients life a little easier and less stressful. You can learn more about them at http://www.corpangelnetwork.org/

also be sure to look into Medicaid (as opposed to medicare). Medicaid will help pay the bills if one is poor (in this case your aunt). If she runs out of money paying the bills, she will probably be covered to some extend by Medicaid.

See if the local Hospital has someone to talk to you about it.
David