There are no large cash grants for breast cancer patients, but there is real, specific help, and knowing which programs give money versus services saves time. The most cash-like assistance for living costs comes from The Pink Fund, Susan G. Komen, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer, which can be combined. For drug copays, disease-specific copay foundations are the route, though their funds open and close constantly. Here is what actually exists and how to use it. Programs and amounts change, so verify each before applying.
Help With Living Costs
These come closest to cash and can be stacked together.
The Pink Fund provides up to $3,000 over 90 days, paid directly to your creditors for rent or mortgage, car, insurance, and utilities. You must be in active treatment and have lost work income. Apply at pinkfund.org.
Susan G. Komen offers a one-time grant, currently $400, for living costs such as rent, utilities, food, and transport. You must be in active treatment or have stage IV disease, with income up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Call 877-465-6636.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer provides a one-time grant of $500 to $1,250 for living expenses. Applications open only in set weeks every other month, so check the timing at lbbc.org.
Help With Drug Copays
For the cost of your medication, disease-specific copay foundations are the answer, but their funds open and close as money runs out, so check status the day you apply and enrol the moment a fund opens.
TotalAssist, formed in 2026 from the merger of the PAN Foundation and Patient Advocate Foundation, runs a breast cancer fund among around 150 funds, with copay help and case management. Find it at totalassist.org. Old PAN Foundation links now redirect here.
HealthWell Foundation runs a general breast cancer fund and a separate Medicare-access fund, for drug copays and premiums up to 500% of the poverty level. See healthwellfoundation.org.
CancerCare runs a breast cancer copay fund that opens and closes cyclically, and also provides counselling and limited transport help. Call 800-813-4673.
Services Rather Than Cash
Worth knowing so you do not apply expecting money. The National Breast Cancer Foundation provides free mammogram assistance, patient navigation, and support kits rather than grants. Komen and others also offer navigation and support alongside their financial programs.
Do Not Overlook Hospital Charity Care
Often the largest single reduction, and frequently missed. Nonprofit hospitals are legally required to have a financial assistance policy. Ask the billing department or a financial counsellor for it by name, and apply even if you have insurance.
A Practical Order
Apply to The Pink Fund, Komen, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer for living costs, since they can be combined. Use TotalAssist, HealthWell, or CancerCare for drug copays, watching for open funds. Ask your hospital for its charity care policy. And if you take a brand-name drug, check the manufacturer’s website for a copay card or patient assistance program. For the broader picture, see our guide to financial assistance for cancer patients.
Help With Travel and Childcare
Treatment costs go beyond medical bills. Everyday logistics can be covered too.
Nonprofits offer gas cards, free lodging near treatment centers, and help with childcare during appointments. A hospital social worker or patient navigator can connect you to these programs, which ease the hidden costs of care.
Support After Treatment
Help does not end when treatment does. Survivorship support is part of recovery.
Organizations provide free counseling, wigs, prostheses, and survivorship programs. Peer support groups connect you with others who understand. These services, often free, support both the practical and emotional side of moving forward.
Breast Cancer Assistance FAQs
Are there cash grants for breast cancer patients?
Not large ones. The most cash-like help for living costs comes from The Pink Fund, Susan G. Komen, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer, which can be combined. Drug copays are covered by foundations like TotalAssist and HealthWell.
What does The Pink Fund provide?
Up to $3,000 over 90 days, paid directly to your creditors for housing, car, insurance, and utilities. You must be in active treatment and have lost income.
Why do copay funds keep closing?
They are largely funded by industry donations that arrive in cycles, so they open and close as money runs out. Check status the day you apply and enrol as soon as a fund opens.
Does Susan G. Komen still give financial help?
Yes, currently a one-time grant of around $400 for living costs, for people in active treatment or with stage IV disease and income up to 300% of the poverty level.
What is the biggest help most people miss?
Hospital charity care. Nonprofit hospitals must have a financial assistance policy that can substantially reduce a bill. Ask the billing department for it by name.
Do the national breast cancer foundations give money?
The National Breast Cancer Foundation provides services such as free mammograms and navigation rather than cash grants. Match the program to whether you need money or support.
