Cancer Doesn't Have to Take Your Hope Too
- Don Jacques
- Jul 13
- 4 min read
A New Yorker's Guide to Financial Help, Resources, and Finding Hope After a Cancer Diagnosis
If you're reading this because you—or someone you love—has cancer, I first want to say something that doesn't get said enough.
I'm sorry.
Cancer doesn't just affect your body.
It affects your income.
Your family.
Your confidence.
Your plans.
Sometimes even your identity.
For many people, the diagnosis is only the beginning. Medical bills start piling up, work becomes difficult or impossible, and suddenly you're trying to figure out how to pay rent while also fighting for your health.
If that's where you are today, please hear this:
There is help available, and you don't have to figure everything out on your own.
This guide is designed specifically for New Yorkers, but many of these resources are available nationwide.
First Things First: Ask for the Oncology Social Worker
This may be the single most important thing you do this week.
Every major cancer center has professionals whose job is to connect patients with financial assistance—not just medical care.
Simply tell your doctor or nurse:
"I'd like to speak with the oncology social worker about financial assistance and available resources."
They can often help with:
Rent or mortgage assistance
Utility bills
Transportation to treatments
Food assistance
Prescription costs
Insurance questions
Disability applications
Emergency grants
Local charities that aren't widely advertised
Many people don't discover these programs until months into treatment. Don't wait.
Organizations That Can Help
CancerCare
CancerCare is headquartered in New York City and has helped thousands of families navigate the emotional and financial challenges of cancer.
They provide:
Financial assistance
Counseling
Support groups
Resource navigation
Transportation assistance
Educational workshops
If they don't have funding available for your specific diagnosis, they'll often point you toward organizations that do.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society offers much more than information.
They can help connect patients with:
Transportation to treatment
Lodging when traveling for care
Support groups
Financial resources
Patient navigators
Their 24-hour helpline has guided countless families through difficult moments.
Patient Advocate Foundation
If you've ever looked at a medical bill and wondered, "How am I supposed to pay for this?" this organization is worth contacting.
They help patients:
Appeal insurance denials
Understand medical bills
Resolve insurance issues
Access financial aid
Work with case managers
In 2026, they expanded their assistance through the new TotalAssist program, making financial support easier to access for many patients.
TotalAssist
TotalAssist brings together many disease-specific financial assistance programs into a single application process.
Depending on eligibility, patients may receive help with:
Medical expenses
Transportation
Living expenses
Treatment-related costs
It's worth checking even if another program wasn't able to help.
CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
Treatment is expensive—even with insurance.
This program helps qualified patients pay:
Insurance co-pays
Coinsurance
Deductibles for many cancer treatments
Funding opens and closes throughout the year, so if a fund is currently closed, check back regularly.
Don't Forget About Government Benefits
Many people assume they won't qualify.
Please don't make that assumption.
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for:
SNAP (food assistance)
Medicaid
Temporary Cash Assistance
HEAP (energy assistance)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Losing a job while battling cancer changes your financial situation, and many people qualify for help sooner than they expect.
If You Can Still Work…
Not everyone undergoing treatment is able to work full-time.
But some people can comfortably manage a few hours each week.
If that's you, consider jobs that are flexible and easier on your body:
Remote customer support
Virtual receptionist
Administrative assistant
Data entry
Appointment scheduler
Library assistant
Hotel front desk
Concierge
Chat support
Working even a small number of hours can provide income while helping you stay connected to a routine.
Queens Residents: Don't Overlook Local Help
If you live in Queens, one organization worth contacting is:
They offer:
Career counseling
Resume assistance
Interview preparation
Job placement
Skills training
Sometimes finding the right employer—not just any employer—can make all the difference while you're undergoing treatment.
Let People Help
One of the hardest things for many people is accepting help.
But here's the truth:
The people who love you usually aren't wondering whether they should help.
They're wondering how.
Instead of saying,
"I'm okay."
Try saying,
"Would you mind taking me to treatment this week?"
or
"Could you pick up groceries while you're out?"
or
"Would you be willing to help me share my fundraiser?"
Small acts of kindness can lift enormous burdens.
If You're a Friend Reading This…
You may feel powerless.
You're not.
You don't have to solve everything.
Just keep showing up.
Send a text.
Bring dinner.
Offer a ride.
Sit quietly during treatment.
Check in a month from now—not just today.
Sometimes the greatest gift isn't having the perfect words.
It's simply reminding someone they don't have to face this journey alone.
Final Thoughts
Cancer changes lives.
But it doesn't erase hope.
There are organizations ready to help.
There are strangers who become friends.
There are communities that rally around people they barely know.
And there are brighter days ahead, even if today feels overwhelming.
If this article helped you, please consider sharing it. You never know who in your community may need these resources—or the reminder that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
From all of us at Raise Nation, we're rooting for you.
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