Fund to Support Needs of Cancer Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic

For Immediate Release, Please

Date: September 7, 2020

Program Contact: Angela Fochesato, angela@healthyacadia.org, (207) 255-3741 Ext. 103

Media Contact: Tracey Carlson, tracey@healthyacadia.org, (207) 667-7171 Ext. 112

Fund to Support Needs of Cancer Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic

Healthy Acadia’s Cancer Patient Navigation program, with funding support from Maine Cancer Foundation, is offering need-based mini-grants up to $500 for individuals and families impacted by cancer in Washington County, Maine.

A cancer diagnosis has an impact on many areas of life for patients and their caregivers. Diagnosis and treatment can cause financial stress, which may hinder the patient’s ability to meet critical needs for themselves or their family. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified these stressors for many. Our Maine Cancer Foundation COVID-19 Fund can help cancer patients and caregivers meet critical needs by offering direct, immediate support.

To be eligible for support through the Maine Cancer Foundation COVID-19 Fund, applicants must reside in Washington County, Maine, have a cancer diagnosis, be currently undergoing cancer treatment, including any form of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, or have undergone treatment within the preceding six months, and seeking help with meeting a critical need. Critical needs may include but are not limited to assistance in paying for groceries, home heating and/or necessary utilities, transportation, specialized equipment related to the cancer diagnosis, housing expenses, or critical home/car repairs. 

The Fund may provide one-time monetary assistance and/or may consult with local business partners who have agreed to provide services at a free or reduced rate for Fund recipients. Funds awarded will be paid directly to the vendor in all cases and cannot reimburse a patient or family member directly.  

Enter the following URL into your web browser to access and download an application: https://healthyacadia.org/documents/Final_MCFCF_Application.docx. For more information, and/or to inquire about cancer patient navigation services in Washington County, please contact Angela Fochesato at Angela@HealthyAcadia.org or (207) 255-3741 Ext. 103.

Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in a broad range of initiatives to build healthier communities and make it easier for people to lead healthy lives across Washington and Hancock counties, Maine. Learn more at www.HealthyAcadia.org.

The Colorectal Cancer Screening Support Fund is supported by a grant from Maine Cancer Foundation. Maine Cancer Foundation's grant is offered as part of their ongoing Challenge Cancer 2020 initiative, aimed at reducing cancer incidence and mortality in Maine. They have awarded over $11 million since 2015 in support of this initiative, focused on prevention, early detection and screening, and access to care for all Mainers. To learn more about Maine Cancer Foundation, visit www.malnecancer.org, or contact Katelyn Michaud, katelyn@mainecancer.org, (207) 773-2533.

PRESS RELEASECorey BlakeHPM, HA