Circle of Hope's funds are used to fill in gaps left by other agencies and resources. As a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, we network with patient care coordinators at hospitals, social service agencies, and cancer centers, utilizing a wide array of community resources. Individual applications for assistance are reviewed by our Board of Directors, who determine the distribution of funds based upon need. Clients seeking assistance must live in, work in, or receive treatment within Santa Clarita Valley and be a US citizen or permanent legal resident. Please read the application for more details on who may qualify. Funds may be granted for the following: Insurance co-payments Medical Financial Aid Program: Financial aid is granted to clients who are pursuing breast cancer treatment, beginning with lumpectomies or mastectomies, and need assistance paying for medical treatment and/or medical insurance. Forty percent of the program’s funding goes toward paying for clients’ medical insurance or their insurance extensions, COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) or HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act). The remaining funds pay for surgery, chemotherapy, diagnostic testing, laboratory fees, prescriptions, or/and co-payments for doctors not covered by the client’s insurance. The organization will pay up to $10,000 for medical financial assistance for the treatment of breast cancer per the lifetime of the individual. The organization prides itself in operating with a high level of appropriateness in assessing patient needs, with a minimum of time and bureaucracy required working with the medical facilities. In 2008, the need for medical financial aid provided by Circle of Hope increased by 67% from the year before. Medical Second Opinion Assistance Program : The organization believes that a second opinion is an important diagnostic tool, particularly if the cancer is advanced, in elderly patients or those with HMO insurances. For the patient’s peace of mind, the client can choose from a second opinion offered at the UCLA Cancer Center of Santa Clarita Valley or the organization can provide the client up to $500 to apply toward a second opinion at the cancer institute of their choice. The majority of the organization’s clients that have utilized this service, have HMO type of insurance plans, which are typically resistant to authorizing quick and out-of-network opinions. An oncologist at the UCLA Cancer Center provides accredited information which will help the patient make informed treatment comparisons, or bring up issues that the other doctors may not have considered. In addition, the founder of Circle of Hope is available to attend the second opinion consultation, acting as a liaison/patient navigator between the client, doctor and/or medical facility. We can use donations all year for the CAP program. You can view a list of needed items here. Compassionate Angels Program (CAP) This program provides free tote bags filled with over-the-counter practical products during treatment, emotional pink-ribbon trinkets, and educational literature for individuals with breast cancer. CAP support bags are given to individuals with breast cancer, and are filled with products that are helpful to patients who are undergoing treatment. The bags are geared for each individual depending on their stage and current treatment program. Each bag is filled with a mixture of items that provide both emotional and physical support such as journals, inspirational cards, and educational pamphlets. The tote bags also include hygiene and health products, such as creams, dental products, and caps that provide physical relief for breast cancer patients. Along with the bags, the organization provides personal support for those undergoing breast cancer treatment, including answering questions from patients and their families, providing hope through the treatment process by being a patient navigator or liaison at doctor’s consultations, and providing information regarding additional resources that can help the client. Circle of Hope also offers insight and help with everything from coping with treatment to hospice care options, drawing on the founder’s extensive personal experiences. |
