Hello Pink Fund Connect Members!

As your Community Outreach Coordinator, I am thrilled to bring you valuable information and resources through this quarterly newsletter curated just for you. Our first issue is focused on providing you with the most up-to-date eligibility requirements for Pink Fund's financial bridge support. We have made significant changes to the required documentation, so please be sure to read this closely!

This newsletter will offer educational resources to support our community with regard to cancer-related financial matters as well as share uplifting survivor stories and touching testimonials from dedicated social workers and recipients. Don't miss our updates section that will spotlight Pink Fund activities, events and initiatives aimed at making a significant impact on the lives of breast cancer patients and their families – and more opportunities for you to get involved!

Thank you for your support and feedback. This content was made possible by our work with YOU over the last year. We are so grateful to launch this newsletter this month and hope it’s informative and inspiring in your work with breast cancer survivors across the country.

May you be well,

Community Outreach Coordinator

PS: To learn more about Pink Fund's programs, feel free to schedule a meeting with me here!

Pink Fund heard your suggestions and we have removed requirements for some documentation to eliminate additional barriers for financial support.

Documentation NO LONGER Required as of Jan. 1, 2024

• W-2s, 1099s or Schedule Cs from the same year as patient’s tax return
• A complete copy of all patient’s checking and savings account statements for the last 2 months for patient and their spouse or partner

Current Required Documentation Beginning 2024

• Copy of patient and spouse/partner’s driver’s license or state-issued picture ID
• Signed and dated letter from all employer(s) the patient and spouse/partner had at the time of diagnosis verifying current employment or leave status compared to your pre-diagnosis status (on company letterhead)
• Medical information form completed by an Oncologist, Licensed Social Worker, Nurse Navigator, or Patient Navigator
• A signed and dated letter (on letterhead) verifying current diagnosis and detailing the treatment plan from one of the following:
• Oncologist, Licensed Social Worker, Nurse Navigator, or Patient Navigator
• A copy of patient and spouse/partner’s last 2 paycheck stubs from when they last worked
• The first 2 pages of patient and spouse/partner's federal tax return from the previous year
• Copies of ALL bills to be considered for payment. Bills considered for payment:
• Housing (mortgage and rent), transportation (auto loan, lease payments, and car insurance), utilities (phone, internet/cable, water and sewage, electric/gas, and propane/fuel oil), insurance

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Patients must be actively undergoing treatment for their breast cancer diagnosis.

• Patients or their spouse/partner must have been working at the time of diagnosis, are not receiving SSD, and are able to show a loss of working income due to their/their spouse/partner’s breast cancer diagnosis (IE, leave of absence, reduced hours, etc.).

• Patient’s household income must be at or below 500% of the federal poverty level based on last year's federal tax return.

• Patients must provide all the documentation we ask for.

What is Active Treatment?

Pink Fund defines active treatment as the period after a diagnosis of breast cancer has been made, you have received a treatment plan from your doctor and are receiving chemotherapy, radiation, or a surgical procedure to remove the cancer.

A surgical procedure is defined as a single or bilateral mastectomy, lumpectomy, axillary dissection or sentinel node biopsy. Reconstruction, targeted and long-term hormonal therapies do not qualify as active treatment. Note: Long-term hormonal therapies (including Tamoxifen, Fareston, Arimidex, Aromasin, Femara, Zoladex/Lupron, Megace, and Halotestin) are only considered active treatment for Stage IV metastatic breast cancer survivors.

NEW APPLICATION DOWNLOADS

Application Checklist

Click PDF to download

Full Application

Click PDF to download

WE NEED BETA TESTERS!

Join Pink Fund's User Experience testing group for our upcoming online application system. Your valuable insights will help us create an efficient and user-friendly platform.

NEW EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

These and other educational downloads can be found on our website here.

African American Breast Cancer

Click the image to download

Metastatic Breast Cancer

Click the image to download

JASPER HEALTH

Jasper is an app that supports people affected by cancer and their caregivers. Jasper helps:

• Track and set reminders for medications and appointments
• Track symptoms, mood, and activity
• In between appointments with guidance via our library with 300+ guides and articles
• Connect you with others who are on a similar journey in Jasper Community

Jasper is available to all members of Pink Fund's community to help organize and manage the logistics of cancer care. To sign up and learn more click here.

Thank you, Heather Simpson, for the work you do!

Click Heather's video to hear how Pink Fund has helped her patients.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude and recognition for the social workers, patient advocates, and nurse navigators who tirelessly work at cancer centers. Your essential role in helping cancer patients navigate their journey cannot be overstressed.

The resources found here have played a pivotal role in providing valuable information to those seeking help.

We'd love to hear from you if we've been able to provide funding or resources to your patients. Please share your story with us here and we may feature you in a future newsletter!

MARLENA M.

Pink Fund recipient

"The financial assistance I received from Pink Fund was a tremendous relief and source of gratitude during my treatment. This assistance significantly alleviated the burden in my life, allowing me to address various financial responsibilities. With the help from Pink Fund, I could prioritize purchasing organic foods, covering transportation costs, and meeting school-related expenses for my daughter. 

The application process was straightforward. I was able to contact human resources with my part-time job to submit verification to Pink Fund. I submitted my bills with ease and the application itself was easy to navigate."

Read our full interview with Marlena here.

If you would like Pink Fund to be at your event, please reach out to [email protected]