Lend A Helping Hand (LHH) provides education, information, referral and financial assistance to breast cancer
patients to maintain quality of life and complete treatment when they face financial difficulties. LHH provides emergency
financial assistance for housing, utilities, transportation and medical expenses. The program was formed when NOBCCF
members realized financial worries were a significant barrier to timely diagnosis and treatment
for many women. Often we found women who were without utilities or facing eviction from their home while going through
chemotherapy and radiation.
NOBCCF developed Lend A Helping Hand in 2001 modeled after the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition's program.
The Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition (BBCC) on Long Island, NY created the Lend A Helping Hand Program in 1996. Any breast
cancer organization interested in adopting the program should contact the BBCC at (631)893-4110 or bbccest1993@aol.com.
LHH's core values are an extension of our Quality Care Initiative, part of NBCC's Principles for Quality Health Care that ensure all breast cancer patients have timely access to cancer treatment and support services. It seeks to provide
a sense of security to patients at a difficult time in their lives.
Since its beginning , Lend A Helping Hand has granted over $150,000
to more than 200 breast cancer patients and their families in northern Ohio for interim support during breast cancer
treatment.
Services Provided by Lend A Helping Hand
- Rent/Mortgage Assistance
- Utilities
- Medical Expenses (e.g. co-pays for breast cancer related treatment and prescriptions; assistance with insurance,
COBRA payments, or Medicaid "spend down" payments)
- Transportation Assistance for trips to cancer care related treatment and appointments
- Other (assistance is available for other emergency financial needs as funds are available)
Counties Served by Lend A Helping Hand
Cuyahoga
Lake
Geauga
Ashtabula
Trumbull
Mahoning
Columbiana
Jefferson
Carroll
Tuscarawas
Holmes
Wayne
Stark
Portage
Summit
Medina
Lorain
Huron
Erie
Richland
Crawford
Marion
Wyandot
Allen
Van
Wert
Putnam
Paulding
Hancock
Seneca
Huron
Erie
Sandusky
Ottawa
Lucas
Wood
Fulton
Henry
Defiance
Williams
How to Apply for Assistance
Ask your doctor, nurse or oncology social worker at your cancer care provider for an application. Applications
must be processed through your doctor as NOBCCF works closely with your health care team to ensure you're getting the help
you need and are completing your treatment and follow up care for breast cancer. If your health care provider doesn't
have application materials, have them contact our Patient Navigator at the phone number below. All information is confidential
and our focus is on helping you get the care you need.
Who Is Eligible for Assistance?
Anyone who is undergoing treatment
for breast cancer and experiencing financial difficulties is eligible for assistance. Though income eligibility is not
restricted, we do focus our efforts mostly on those breast cancer patients who are in financial crisis and are likely to avoid
seeking or completing treatment.
Can I Apply More Than One Time?
Funds are limited and our service area has been expanded, so our guidelines specify one time only assistance.
We made this change in order to provide assistance to as many survivors as possible in northern Ohio.
To maintain the integrity of our Patient Navigation services and to ensure high quality support services,
NOBCCF does not provide referrals to other patient assistance programs. Survivors should use caution and do some research
before providing their personal medical information to organizations claiming to provide financial assistance. Contact your
oncology social worker or your local United Way for more information.
Lend A Helping Hand is supported by grant funding from the the Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio and NOBCCF
fundraising events
Health Care Providers: How to Submit the LHH Application
Click on the link below to download a copy of the LHH application. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader as the
file is in PDF format. Once the form opens, click on the fields and type in the information requested. When
you've finished completing the form, return to the first page of the Application and click the button marked "Submit
By Email". It will send a copy of your form to NOBCCF. Next, click on the button marked "Print Form" to send a
copy to your printer. Take the print copy of your application to patient's physician for their signature, then
sign the areas marked for patient and witness. Mail the signed copy with copies of supporting documents (e.g. utility
bill, invoices for medical expenses, including account numbers) to NOBCCF.
