I live in Indiana, and a friend of mine was just diagnosed with pancreatic and colon cancer.?

Question

They had surgery yesterday, which prolonged their life(They were only given 6mths originally, now because of the surgery they have up to 5 years) but the medical costs are more than they can bear. Are there any charities, foundations, organizations, etc that could help cushion the blow on some of these costs? They aren't famous or anything, but in my little corner of the world they are GREATLY important.

Answer 1

There are many ways to cover the medical costs from charities, to fund raising. Your friend needs to call the local American Cancer Society to see what local charities are available. He needs to call the social workers at the clinic or hospital where he receives treatment for advice. And he needs to read the website information provided below. CancerCare is an online FREE social service that will offer guidance. Your friend should also make sure he is treated at a hospital that is under the Hill-Burton program - the program will cover treatment at FREE or LOW COST service.


CancerCare
http://www.cancercare.org/

Medical Insurance and Financial Assistance for the Cancer Patient
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_3_2X_Medical_Insurance_and_Financial_Assistance_for_the_Cancer_Patient.asp?

She should also check out Medicare, Medicade, and SS disability benefits.

The Hill-Burton Program is a federal program where a number of hospitals provide free or low cost services to patients unable to pay.

Hill-Burton Free and Reduced Cost Health Care
http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/

Answer 2

Why don't you help out by arranging a local fundraiser, like a spaghetti dinner or silent auction, or anything along those lines. You could also set up some sort of fund at a local bank branch. If the person was/is employed, what many employers will do is allow other employees to donate unused sick/vacation/PTO time to have the cash equivalant donated to the person.

Answer 3

To help prevent further problems - Try Vitamin C therapy. A few years ago a cancer specialist came out with a paper that said the best cancer/infection fighter found to date was Interferon. At the time it was $15,000 a gram. The paper also said that Interferon was a by-product of the natural breakdown of Vitamin C in your body. Shortly after that the FDA tried to make Vitamin C by prescription only. Guess why? The FDA has the RDA for Vitamin C set at 64 mg a day, just enough to ward off scurvy. Linus Pauling, who got a Nobel Prize for his work with Vitamin C and a second Nobel Prize for Organic Chemistry, said that 1000 mg a day should be the minimum and 2000 mg a day if you are sick or smoke. He played tennis almost daily until the day he died at 96. Personally, I got sick twice a year for 2 weeks at a time, for more than 20 years, with something to this day the doctors have no idea what it was, but for a week in the middle of those 2 weeks I was flat on my back. I started Vitamin C therapy once I gave up on the doctors. I took enough to be asymptomatic for those 2 weeks. Too much and I got diarrhea and too little and I got sick. Within a narrow range, and it followed a bell curve over those 2 weeks, I was not sick. At the height I was taking 40,000 mg a day and 300,000 over the 2 weeks. After 2 years of that I have not been sick since – more than 15 years. Vitamin C acts as a natural diuretic so you need to drink a lot of water and watch your body in total, but my kidneys did not dissolve as the doctors predicted, or get massive kidney stones as other predicted. I did not dissolve my bones as some predicted or completely calcify my joints as others predicted. I had no side effects at all. It might be something to consider.

Answer 4

I see yet another compassionate answer from NASI. Ignore him. I think he's only about 9 years old.

Anyway, yes, there are usually local charities that can and will help. Look in your local telephone book or ask at the hospital. Check with your church and clergy and any Masonic group you have locally.

Best of luck to you and to your friend!!

Answer 5

The hospital that preformed the surgery will be more than happy to help your friend find help with the costs. (They want their money.) Also, hospitals can't sue you as long as you keep paying them something (Even if it's $10.) every billing period.

Answer 6

I'm really sorry to hear about your friend. :( You might try getting in touch with the United Way of your community, they could probably point you in the right direction if they themselves can't help you.
Good luck!

Answer 7

they should consider bankrupcy. If they are totally against that, the hospital can work things out with them for a payment plan..

Answer 8

First, the person's health insurance.
Second, the person's own savings.
Third, talk to the people who think your friend is "greatly important."
Fourth -bankruptcy.

Person should have enough health insurance, not gamble on hoping people will come to his rescue. I'm sad for his condition, but I'm even sadder that he thinks EVERYONE ELSE is his insurers.

Answer 9

Lord my God Here is someone who has been given a time limit own their life Lord, Lord it is up to you when it is ones time to come home to you, Lord this person needs you and I am coming to you Lord for a miracle, I am asking Lord that you see to it that all their needs are meet, Lord, And place your healing hands own them Lord and heal them Lord for they are still Important to others, lord and fill them with your holy spirit so that they know you and trust in you Lord for their healing and all their needs, Lord wrap your arms around them Lord and comfort them and let them know that you are a healing God and that you died so that they may be saved,In your precious name I ask lord, Amen, God bless you and all The Lord is shining His healing light own you and your Friend, The Lord healed me and He is good for his promises just trust in Him for all your needs, God bless the USA and Israel and All