Financial Assistance
Being diagnosed with a brain tumor takes a toll on the patient and their family physically, emotionally, and financially. Medical bills and related costs can quickly add up. Here are resources to help.
To learn more about Financial Assistance Programs, click on the categories below or contact the ABTA CareLine at 800-886-2282 or info@abta.org.
ABTA Financial Assistance Program
Currently, we are unable to accept new applications for financial assistance. Our funding relies solely on the generosity of our supportive donors. Lately, the demand for aid has surpassed our current funding capacity. Please revisit this page regularly, as we intend to reopen the application process once our funding situation permits.
Glenn Garcelon Fund
The ABTA Financial Assistance Program, Glenn Garcelon Fund is closed for the rest of the year. Please submit new applications on January 2nd, 2025.
The ABTA Financial Assistance Program, Glenn Garcelon Fund, offers limited financial assistance for patients diagnosed with a primary benign or malignant Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors. To ease the financial burden to the patient, the fund may cover certain expenses and/or bills, such as mortgage, medical bills, utilities, among others.
To learn more about the program or to apply for financial assistance, please download and complete this application.
If you have questions, please contact the ABTA CareLine at 800-886-2282 or info@abta.org.
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Brain Tumor Financial Assistance
Mission4Maureen
Mission4Maureen is dedicated to providing financial assistance to families who are burdened with the staggering cost of brain cancer treatment. Financial aid is available for medical bills as well as child care, housing payments, utility bills, transportation, medication and other areas of assistance. An application with supporting documentation is required.
440-840-6497
Help Hope Live
Help Hope Live will provide you with one-on-one fundraising help, including personalized fundraising materials and guidance on how to rally your community, share your story on social media, reach out to the press, plan in-person or virtual fundraising events, and more.
800-642-8399
Kim's Hope (Glioblastoma)
Kim’s Hope helps alleviate some of the financial stress points so the patient and their caregiver(s) can focus their attention on treatment, care, and recovery. Financial assistance can be provided for in-home care, travel costs related to treatment, medications not covered by insurance, and academic scholarships.
503-577-3366
Darren Daulton Foundation
The Darren Daulton Foundation is committed to providing financial assistance to those who suffer from brain cancer, brain tumors, and brain injuries. Applicants MUST be a resident of Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware at the time of submission of their application.
PAN Foundation Glioblastoma Fund
Assistance available for those diagnosed with Glioblastoma. Covers medications or products on PAN Foundation's list of covered medications. Applicants must have health insurance and have income that is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. Fund opens and closes periodically. When closed, sign up for notifications on website.
Cancer Financial Assistance
Vital Options International – Selma Schimmel Grant
The Selma Schimmel Vital Grant is a financial support program focused on helping qualified patients and their families who are enduring a financial hardship while battling a chronic, terminal or rare condition. The Vital Grant program assist qualified patients for things like transportation to treatment, groceries and other living expenses.
800-518-2354
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
CFAC is a coalition of financial assistance organizations joining forces to help cancer patients experience better health and well-being by limiting financial challenges. Financial resources include medical expenses, pharmaceutical assistance, health insurance, and more.
Cleaning for a Reason
This non-profit offers free professional housecleaning services to improve the lives of people undergoing treatment for cancer. Provides once a month cleaning for two months. Currently available in approximately all 50 states and Canada.
877-337-3348
Healthwell Foundation Oncology Caregiver Behavioral Health Fund
Assistance with prescription drugs, counseling services, psychotherapy, and transportation costs needed to treat or manage behavioral health issues for a family member providing care to a cancer patient with an active HealthWell grant.
800-675-8416
Cancer Care
Offers a variety of financial assistance programs, call for eligibility requirements.
800-813-HOPE (4673)
Young Adult Financial Assistance
Allyson Whitney Foundation
The Allyson Whitney Foundation primarily provides grants to young adult (age 16-36) patients with rare cancer diagnoses. Grants help cover unanticipated expenses including transportation, hotels, rent, medical expenses, fertility options, integrative therapies, and wigs.
Cameron Siemers Foundation for Hope
A Life Grant is an award up to $5,000 to be used in the fulfillment of a dream, goal, or project that you take on to make a difference in your life and the lives of others. If you are between the ages of 18 and 30 and have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, you can apply for a Life Grant™.
Medical Financial Assistance
Friends of Man
Friends of Man is an all volunteer charity to help people with basic or special needs that cannot be provided elsewhere. They will assist with prostheses, wheelchairs, medical equipment, mobility equipment, hearing aids and orthopedic shoes. Application must be filled out by a healthcare professional.
303-798-2342
Dental Lifeline Network
This organization offers a Donated Dental Services (DDS) program. DDS tends to the dental needs of the disabled, elderly or medically compromised individuals who cannot afford the necessary dental treatment. Their website offers contact information for each state to help you locate a participating program in your area.
303-534-5360
Dollar For
Dollar For helps patients navigate financial assistance programs by either submitting a financial assistance application to the hospital on your behalf or giving you instructions, tips and tools to submit a financial assistance application on your own.
Lazarex Cancer Foundation
Note: Funding exhausted for 2024
Offer financial assistance; transportation, lodging, relocation expenses, medical expenses not covered by insurance for patients participating in clinical trials.
925-820-4517
Mother’s Grace
The mission of Mother’s Grace is the charitable purpose of: providing individual assistance to mothers and children in immediate need of resources while experiencing devastating life events or crisis. This help can include payment of rent, utility bills, medications or any other ancillary service that may support them during their time of need.
Children Financial Assistance
Clayton Dabney Foundation for Kids with Cancer
Provides gifts, last wishes and financial assistance to families which will facilitate quality of family life and create everlasting memories. Child must be considered terminal, under the age of 21 and be referred by a healthcare professional. Cap per family is usually $2,000.
214-361-2600
B+ Foundation
The B+ Foundation® is committed to emotionally and financially assisting families of children with cancer. Child diagnosed with cancer must be under the age of 21. Application MUST be completely filled out by the family and a Social Worker.
302-563-8389
The Brooke Healey Foundation
The Brooke Healey Foundation helps families dealing with pediatric cancers, especially brain cancers and DIPG.
Friends4Michael Foundation
Provides nonmedical financial assistance to children, up to the age of 18 at the time of diagnosis, afflicted with brain tumor and currently undergoing medical treatment. Requests must be submitted by a social worker.
845-401-8689
The IronMatt Family Assistance Program
The IronMatt Family Assistance Program gives direct financial assistance to families regardless of their socio-economic status, the type of brain tumor (malignant or not), or the progress of the disease.
Compassion Can’t Wait
Provides urgent assistance for single parents of critically or terminally-ill children who face financial crisis. Requests for support must be made by a health care professional.
Kelly Ann Dolan Memorial Fund
Provides financial assistance to families of terminally, critically and chronically ill children. Referral must come from a healthcare worker. Child must reside in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware.
215-643-0763
The Max Cure Foundation
The Max Cure Foundation’s Roar Beyond Barriers program provides financial support to low-income, first responder, and military families who have a child battling cancer to help ease some of the financial burdens on the family while dealing with the child’s diagnosis.
201-569-5595
Jack’s Helping Hand
Jack’s Assistance Program is the heart and soul of our organization, providing everything from high-tech wheelchairs to prosthetic limbs, from appointments with specialists to custom-designed eyeglasses or hearing devices for local children up to the age of 21. This program also offers financial assistance to families of children with cancer or special needs to help with transportation, food and housing costs associated with out-of-area treatments.
National Children’s Cancer Society
Provides financial and in-kind assistance to children with cancer.
800-532-6459
Melonhead Foundation
Supports the needs of children with cancer and their families who are seeking alternative methods of healing. The foundation also disperses funds to patients for treatment needs and to the families for their personal needs.
480-266-9503
Live Like Bella
The Live Like Bella® Childhood Cancer Foundation assist families whose children are battling cancer with financial support for medical copays, basic needs such as gas, groceries, utilities and more. They also work closely with funeral homes to provide assistance towards memorial cost for a child whose battle with cancer has ended.
Rally Foundation
The Rally Family Emergency Fund covers a pediatric patient’s (up to age 21) cancer related medical bills or other family costs related to treatment (i.e.: utilities, mortgage, rent, transitional housing, etc.). Application for support must be submitted through a social worker or hospital representative.
404-847-1270
Pinky Swear
The Pinky Swear Foundation is committed to easing the financial impact of cancer. They help to pay rent, mortgages, car payments, car repairs, utilities, groceries, gas and more. They also provide financial support related to end of life or bereavement care.
Oracle Health Foundation
Provides providing pediatric case grants for medicine, surgeries, travel, and equipment.
816-201-1569
Reflections of Grace Foundation
Reflections Of Grace Foundation offers direct financial assistance to families of children with brain cancer.
United Healthcare Children’s Foundation
Offers financial assistance to cover medical services beyond what insurance will cover or if service is not covered by the policy at all. Children are eligible up to the age of 16, who are US citizens and are currently covered under a commercial health insurance policy. Generally assistance must be requested before services are obtained and funds will generally be paid directly to the facility. Grants up to $5,000 per year.
855-698-4223
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Butterfly Fund
Provides emergency financial assistance to families of children in treatment at partnering medical facilities (see website for list).
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Travel for Care Program
The mission of ALSF’s Travel For Care program is to ensure children battling childhood cancer have the financial assistance needed to travel to clinical trials, experimental therapeutics, or treatment innovations not currently available at their local institution.
866-333-1213
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Offers treatment protocols for pediatric brain tumors. All patients accepted are treated without regard to the family’s ability to pay. Referral must be made through a physician.
888-226-4343
Family Voices (FV)
Family Voices works with families of special needs children to advocate for health care services, provides information on appealing insurance claims, and can put families in touch with health care programs in all states. Contact the FV program in your state for more information.
888-835-5669
General Financial Assistance
General Information
Assistance programs are offered by many gas, electric, water, and phone companies. If you feel you may have difficulty paying your monthly bills, contact the company before your balance becomes too large. Companies are more amenable to working out a payment plan with those willing to work with them. Many states have regulations that prohibit companies from turning off utilities; your doctor or social worker may need to write letters describing why the service(s) are medically necessary. The regulations do not diminish your responsibility for paying the bills, but may allow you more time or lower monthly payments. In an emergency situation, check with local help lines and social service agencies as some provide one-time emergency help with utility bills.
Catholic Charities, USA
Some local offices have limited funding available to provide emergency financial assistance.
703-549-1390
Hardest Hit Fund, U.S. Department of Treasury
A foreclosure prevention program that is available for homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage. It is available in 19 states and each state has varying qualifications to apply.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Helps low-income households meet their home energy needs.
866-674-6327
Meals On Wheels
Coordinates thousands of programs throughout the United States dedicated to delivering meals to those who are homebound. Some programs require a small donation. Each program determines eligibility.
800-677-1116
Modest Needs
Modest Needs offers Self-Sufficiency Grants to qualified individuals / households who need help to afford two specific types of expenses: Unexpected or emergency expenses that an individual or family living paycheck-to-paycheck could not possibly afford without a short-term hand-up, and monthly bills that an individual or family living paycheck-to-paycheck cannot afford to pay at the time of their application because of a documentable extenuating circumstance that occurred within the past year.
844-667-3776
Netwish
Will provide assistance, up to $200.00 for those who are able to demonstrate a financial need.
Salvation Army
Local units can offer emergency financial assistance to families.
703-684-5500
Prescription Drug Financial Assistance
CVS
Search coupons or lower-cost options based on your prescription plan.
Healthwell Foundation
The foundation helps to bridge the gap by providing financial assistance to eligible patients to cover certain out-of-pocket costs related to copayments, deductibles and insurance premiums. At this time, only Glioblastoma and Anaplastic Astrocytoma brain tumors are covered. Visit website to see other medical conditions covered.
800-675-8416
Medicare Rights Center
Provides information on how to locate prescription assistance or discount programs.
212-869-3850
Musella Foundation Brain Tumor Drug Co-payment Assistance
Provides financial assistance to families who need help covering the cost of certain drugs used to treat Primary Malignant Brain Tumors (Grade 3 or 4). Covered Treatments include: Avastin, Gliadel, Optune (Novocure), Temodar.
855-426-2672
Needy Meds
Needy Meds is a non-profit organization with the mission of helping people who cannot afford medicine or health care costs. The Needy Meds website provides a comprehensive database to search for available prescription assistance programs for both brand name and generic prescriptions. Application forms are also available for certain prescription assistance programs. Needy Meds also provides information about diseased-based assistance programs, discount drug cards and government programs.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Offers a single point of access to more than 475 public, state and private patient assistance programs, including more than 200 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.
888-477-2669
Patient Advocate Foundation
Their Co-Pay Relief Program offers co-payment assistance to patients with brain cancer. Program accepts calls beginning the first business day of each month until funds are depleted. Providers can also apply on behalf of their patients online.
866-512-3861
Rx Assist
Rx Assist is a pharmaceutical access information center created by Volunteers in Health Care (VIH) a national resource center for safety net organizations. Rx Assist provides a comprehensive database of prescription assistance programs with application forms available at the website. Information is also available on low-cost prescriptions, co-pay assistance and Medicare Part D.
401-729-3284
Together Rx Access Program
Offers savings on brand name and generic medications for children and adults, who are not covered through Medicare and who do not have public or private prescription drug coverage. To qualify applicants must be under age 65, be a legal resident of the United States or Puerto Rico and meet income guidelines.
800-444-4106
Walgreens Prescription Savings Club
Offers special discounts on the cash price of thousands of prescriptions.
Wal-Mart Pharmacy Site
Wal-Mart currently offers a 90 day prescription supply for just $10. $4 generics offered through the Wal-Mart program included multiple strengths of dexamethasone (a steroid), prednisone (a steroid), carbamazapine (an antiepileptic drug), and several antidepressants.
Wegman’s Food Markets
Some of the programs offer 30-day supplies, some are 90-day supplies, but each is offered at discounted rates. Their program includes a 90-day supply for $11.99.
Travel Financial Assistance
Air Care Alliance
Provides referrals to charitable, long-distance, or air medical transport options.
888-260-9707
Amtrak
Travelers with disability and their companions are offered a 10 percent discount on round trip travel with appropriate documentation. Travelers must book at ticket counter to receive the discount.
800-USA-RAIL
Angel Flight Central
Provides free air transportation to qualified patients and their families in the Midwest by arranging flights to distant medical facilities, delivering supplies to disaster areas, and reuniting families during desperate times. Passengers are required to be medically stable and ambulatory to board an aircraft.
866-569-9464
Angel Flight East
Provides free air transportation to qualified patients and their families in the Northeast by arranging flights to distant medical facilities, delivering supplies to disaster areas, and reuniting families during desperate times. Passengers are required to be medically stable and ambulatory to board an aircraft.
215-358-1900
CancerCare
Offers financial assistance for transportation costs associated with treatment for patients with malignant tumors.
800-813-HOPE
Children’s Miracle Network
Financial assistance for transportation associated with medical treatment may be available at a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. When you call the national office telephone number, you will be referred to the local program director at a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. The local program director will help locate financial assistance for transportation to medical treatment, if funds are available.
801-278-8900
Compass to Care
For families affected by a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Compass to Care pays for the following expenses, based on your family’s needs: Airfare, Bus Fare, Car Rental, Gasoline, Lodging, Parking Fees, Taxi Fees, Train Fare, and/or Tolls.
Continental Airlines (in partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center)
Provides transportation for patients being treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
800-468-7022
Corporate Angel Network
Corporate jets transporting cancer patients for treatment. Patients must be ambulatory.
866-328-1313
Hope Air
Provides free air transportation to Canadians in financial need that must travel from their own communities to recognized facilities for medical care.
877-346-4673
Keep Swimming Foundation
Provides financial relief to families of critically ill patients who require extended inpatient medical care at an accredited USA hospital. Expenses covered include hotel rooms, bedside meals, parking, public transportation, gasoline, rent/mortgage payments.
(262) 264-8881
Lyft / American Cancer Society
Lyft has partnered with the American Cancer Society to offer complimentary rides to cancer patients going to and from medical appointments. This program is available in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Philadelphia, and other cities. Contact the American Cancer Society to determine eligibility and book a ride.
800-227-2345
Mercy Medical Angels
Provides free transportation to medical care on the ground with gas cards, bus and train tickets and in the air with trips flown by volunteer pilots and the commercial airlines.
Miracle Flights For Kids
Provides air transportation for medical treatment for medically stable children and adults.
800-FLY-1711
Operation Lift Off
Provides air transportation to medical care and treatment centers for children with a life-threatening illness.
314-298-9770
Oracle Health Foundation
Provides providing pediatric case grants for medicine, surgeries, travel, and equipment.
816-201-1569
Patient AirLift Services (PALS)
Provides free medical flights to people who need to access medical care that may be too far to get to by car.
(631) 694-PALS (7257)
Road to Recovery
Services are currently limited due to COVID-19. The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program provides transportation to and from treatment for people with cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves.
800-227-2345
Southwest Airlines
Provides complimentary, roundtrip tickets to patients and/or caregivers through nonprofit hospitals and medical transportation organizations.
Additional Information
Many airlines offer bereavement fares to those traveling for funerals. Passengers must purchase tickets at regular fare, and then will receive a partial reimbursement upon verification of death, i.e., obituary or death certificate.
- For local transportation assistance, try your local American Cancer Society, Catholic Charities, Area Agency on Aging or United Way office. Many divisions have volunteers that provide transportation assistance or reimbursement.
- Hospitals may provide cab or bus vouchers for patients. Or offer van services for outpatients. Contact the social worker at your treatment facility to ask if these programs exist there.
- Check with local park districts, city offices or transit authority to see if they have vans or medi-cars available at low or no cost.
- Many nationwide car rental companies offer cars with hand controls, some may also have vans with wheelchair lifts. Locations require advance reservations for vehicles with these options.
Lodging Financial Assistance
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Travel for Care Program
The mission of ALSF’s Travel For Care program is to ensure children battling childhood cancer have the financial assistance needed to travel to clinical trials, experimental therapeutics, or treatment innovations not currently available at their local institution.
866-333-1213
American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
Provides free living arrangements for those undergoing treatments for cancer and their families.
800-ACS-2345
Extended Stay America
Extended Stay America’s Keys of Hope© program offers cancer patients free hotel rooms as well as incredibly discounted rates. Contact the American Cancer Society for more information.
Joe’s House
This site functions as a clearinghouse of lodging options for cancer patients while traveling. It currently offers over 2000 listings searchable by state.
877-563-7468
Keep Swimming Foundation
Provides financial relief to families of critically ill patients who require extended inpatient medical care at an accredited USA hospital. Expenses covered include hotel rooms, bedside meals, parking, public transportation, gasoline, rent/mortgage payments.
(262) 264-8881
The National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses
Provides referral information to anyone in need of lodging while undergoing treatment away from home.
800-542-9730
Oracle Health Foundation
Provides providing pediatric case grants for medicine, surgeries, travel, and equipment.
816-201-1569
Surviving and Moving Forward: The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer
Provide various grants to young adult survivors, ages 17-35, to help supplement the money that they and their families have lost during treatment, and pay for specific housing issues, such as moving expenses, rent and utility assistance.
866-439-9365
Ronald McDonald Houses
RMH are situated near many larger hospitals throughout the country and abroad and offer low cost accommodations. A social worker can make a referral to the nearest RMH or you can search for locations on their website. Click “Chapter Search” at the top of the page.
630-623-7048
YMCA or YWCA
Check local phone directories for area listings. Many offer low rates for overnight accommodations.