Photo courtesy Alberta Cancer Foundation

By Erika Rolling

Alberta Cancer Foundation

Anonymous donor matching up to $200,000 in donations to ACF’s Patient Financial Assistance Program this month

Feb 14, 2024 | 12:48 PM

During the entire month of February, a generous Albertan will be matching donations made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s Patient Financial Assistance Program.

The financial burden of a cancer diagnosis can put people between picking between treatment and being able to pay bills.

The PFAP gets money raised by Albertans into the pockets of those navigating life with cancer and all the expenses that come with it.

ACF’s chief executive officer Wendy Beauchesne says a diagnosis often extends beyond medical treatment itself.

“They’ve got to navigate a complex healthcare system, balance the day to day demands of living during treatments… and this is further magnified for people who perhaps can’t work while they’re undergoing cancer treatment, or don’t have employee health insurance, and even more for people who live in a rural community that are required to travel for treatment.”

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Beauchesne says some people may have to travel for months to years to get the cancer treatment they need.

The PFAP gives support to eligible patients that have financial needs to help address some of the direct costs like travel and accommodations for appointments, to medications not covered by insurance providers, and even groceries and utility expenses.

Beauchesne says the idea for this program started over a decade ago to remove the financial barrier of having to travel far from home to get the treatment one needs.

“Cancer’s not isolated to a community where there’s a cancer clinic. For those patients that live outside of those communities, perhaps they have to travel for their radiation therapy for instance, those bills can really add up.”

“The demand for this program will always be more than what we are able to offer. This is completely fueled by donations by Albertans.”

Beauchesne says that in 2023, the PFAP funded $1.5 million of financial support to hundreds of families in 135 communities across the province.

The funds raised by ACF are dispersed to patients recognized by Cancer Care Alberta social workers in hospitals, where funds are directly given to those undergoing treatment.

She says they are looking to raise $400,000 with the special donor matching up to $200,000.

The best way to donate to the foundation is online at albertacancer.ca. Donations will be matched up until midnight on February 29.