I have extra expenses that I need help with due to child with cancer and husband broke his leg?

I am a mother of four. My 6 year old daughter has recently been diagnosed with cancer of the kidneys. While she has insurance, my family has been ridden with a lot of unexpected bills, gas, utilities, and more important our rent. My husband broke his leg on a deer hunting trip, and is off work untill after Valentines day. I am the sole person to take baby to her treatments, and hubby is non-weight bearing on foot. I don't know what else to do! Does anyone have suggestions on who could help? Any answers would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Please go here: Medical Insurance and Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MLT/conten...

I will assume your child has Wilms tumor. I have a non-profit organization providing information and support to families of children with WAGR syndrome, a rare disorder including Wilms tumor. If I can help you with information about your daughter's situation, please contact me.

Kim Pillow Williams, Vice President
International WAGR Syndrome Association
http://www.wagr.org
towandakim@yahoo.com

Best to you...

When you take your daughter to her treatments, ask them to talk to a social worker. The social worker should be able to give you a list of agencies who can help your family during your time of need. There is an agency who will help you with heating bills through the winter months. Each state is different, but ask for help.

Best wishes to your daughter and husband on their recoveries.

First let me say I am sorry for your daughters illness and your husbands broken leg.
Please go to your local government assistance program, I know that is a hard step for people who have always been able to make it on their own. But your situation is exactly what it was intended for to begin with. Also check with the hospital where your daughter recieves treatment, there are many programs to help with financial and and other needs. Contact your local cancer support group, (call the chamber of commerce and they will be able to tell you how to contact them). Do not be afraid to ask family and friends for help. I know they keep offering, take them up on it. Right now you need all the help you can get, don't be too proud or stubborn to take it.
Also your local utility companies have assistance programs, where you can pay a partial payment. Local churches have programs also to help pay for utilities.

I hope this helps you, my husband has lymphoma and we have had to ask for assistance, it is a hard thing to do sometimes, but you can not do this by yourself.

Best of luck to your family, my prayers are with you.

Your daughter should be seen by a pediatric oncology team as they can offer the best type of treatment. The team should include a pediatric social worker and they will be able to help you with financial issues. Call the clinic or the hospital where your daughter is receiving treatment and ask to talk with them. They will know which programs to recommend for you and will also be aware of any local funding available.

If your daughter does not have access to a social worker, you can call the hospital directly .. most hospitals make social workers available.

If that is still not an option, than call the American Cancer Society local chapter. They too can point you to funding for your situation: http://www.cancer.org/

And, CancerCare is also another resource for you. They have counciling online or by phone and will contact you directly. They can help you locate funding or help during this time:
http://www.cancercare.org/

Other ideas are for friends and neighbors to hold a fund raising for your family. Most people want to help you in whatever way is possible, and this is often a wonderful way for them to do it. I am sure by the time you read this that people will become more aware of your situation and will be offering to do some fund raising activities for you.

Good luck.

Sorry to hear about all of your troubles. It must be very overwhelming. If you're taking your daughter to the hospital for treatment, ask to speak with the social worker to learn about options that may available in your community. If your daughter is going to an outpatient clinic-ask the nurse or doctor about resources to help you financially. There are many resources out there for cancer patients and their families. Also check out the Social Security website under the Children with Disabilities Act. It may be that your daughter will qualify for a monthly stipend from the government. Reach out to the church,other mothers at school, let the teachers or school counselor know what is happening. Let the community, your neighbors, know what is happening. Most people are willing to help out in some small way, even if it can't be financially, they could make dinner for the family or help clean the house or take the other kids to school, etc... Every little bit helps. The American Cancer Society has a lot of resources at your disposal,too. Look them up on the web. Also try a site called CancerSucks.com. They have some good resources listed. Good luck to you. You'll be in my prayers tonight.

Next time you take her for treatment ask to speak to a social worker. They will be able to help! Things that we did: Apply for Medicaid (use it as a secondary insurance to help with your child's doctor/hospital bills). Apply for SSI for you child. Ask if there is a local charity that will help you. In Oklahoma, where I am, there is a charity that helps families of children with cancer. You might ask your church if they will do a fundraiser to help. You could ask for money, instead of presents, for Christmas this year. Be creative! We cut our eating out back to a couple of times a month. We shop grocery sales and do without extras. There is a trick out there that is right for your family.

My son has wilms tumor. I know first hand that the american cancer society gives $1000. a year to each family that applies. Like everyone here has said, talk to the hospital socialworker. There is an application, and it takes about a month before the payments are made. They do pay any type of bill, though. Including credit cards, or car insurance.