New COVID-19 Resources Available for Cancer Survivors

Guest Post by Nancy Novack, PhD

In the time of COVID, cancer patients are especially vulnerable. They need our help more than ever. I compiled a listing (just below) of financial resources for those who are living with cancer and those who love and care for them.

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Nancy’s List is my love letter to the universe, my expression of profound gratitude for my miraculous recovery from stage 4 ovarian cancer … and my amazing life.

During my 21 long aggressive chemo sessions, whenever I had the opportunity, I invited fellow cancer patients to tell me their stories. These visits occurred in the infusion rooms at Stanford Cancer Care Hospital in California 16 years ago.

Patients and their families shared their helplessness and hopelessness. They suffered intense feelings of isolation, distrust, anger, and profound sadness. They worried the very most about money … about the possibility of bankruptcy, the lack of funds to cover the enormous medical expenses and their medications.

If they even had insurance, they worried that the policies were not sufficient. They worried about telling their employers and likely losing their jobs. They worried about not being able to pay for basic living expenses. They worried about their children’s futures. They were experiencing so much fear and anxiety about money.

I knew that the stress and anxiety of choosing between buying one’s cancer meds or putting food on the table for their children were in the way of the healing process.

I made a vow to make a difference. I knew that financial assistance was out there somewhere. I was determined to find the resources and make them accessible to the cancer community.