Breast Cancer Assistance Program. Join our mailing list.

 

The Financial Assistance portion of the Karen E. Jackson Breast Cancer Assistance Program has closed. We will reopen upon receiving new funding. Date TBD. 

 

Click here for mammogram application (Houston / Dallas only)

  

Established in 2006, Sisters Network® Inc. Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP) is a national financial assistance program that provides financial assistance to breast cancer survivors in active treatment. Since it’s inception, BCAP has provided over $1.2 million dollars in financial assistance and mammogram/ultrasound support to uninsured women. The program also has an early detection component providing mammograms for underserved and uninsured women. 

In 2022, the Breast Cancer Assistance Program was renamed Karen E. Jackson Breast Cancer Assistance Program in recognition and honor of the Founder’s legacy in the fight against breast cancer.

BCAP is open two times per year contingent on funding.

Applicants may apply once per year if they meet the eligibility criteria. 

The program provides up to $350 in financial assistance for the following:

  • Utilities: Electric, Gas, Water 
  • Housing: Rent or Mortgage 
  • NOT ELIGIBLE: Cable, Cell Phone, Transportation or Medical co-pays

**Applicant name must be on any utility bill, lease agreement or mortgage statement)

Payments are made directly to the provider. No payments will be sent to applicants.

Financial Assistance Qualifications:

  • Patients must be currently be receiving treatment during the application period.
  • Eligible treatments: IV and port chemotherapy, radiation and completed a surgical procedure to remove the cancer.
  • Not covered: Oral pills, Immunotherapy, Hormonal therapies, Breast Reconstruction or scheduled surgery.
  • Notification: Applicants should expect up to 30-45 days for review and decision notification.

Required Documentation: 

(All documents MUST BE SCANNED when submitted. Any supporting materials that are not scanned will be declined. NO PHOTOGRAPHS ACCEPTED)

  • Patients must provide all required supporting documentation 
  • Current utility bill, mortgage statement or full copy of lease agreement with applicant name 
  • Copy of current treatment plan (on letterhead, signed and dated) verifying diagnosis and detailing treatment plan from one of the following: (Oncologist, Licensed Social Worker, Nurse Navigator or Patient Navigator)

Application Submission Process:

  • Download  and complete the BCAP application (PDF Fillable)l
  • Save the BCAP application and email to bcap@sistersnetworkinc.org
  • Required supporting documents (utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement)
  • Email all documents to bcap@sistersnetworkinc.org by the deadline noted on current application

(Note: Incomplete applications or applications that are not scanned will no be reviewed)

Notification: Applicants should expect up to 30-45 days for review and decision notification.

For questions about BCAP, please email bcap@sistersnetworkinc.org

 

   

Referral Services

We encourage you to visit other financial assistance programs for additional support.

 

American Cancer Society (ACS) provides information and referrals to numerous education, community and patient support services, including financial assistance and transportation programs. To reach your local ACS, contact the national office at 800.227.2345.

CancerCare provides limited financial assistance for homecare, childcare and transportation.

CancerCare’s Linking A.R.M.S. program provides limited financial assistance for hormonal therapy, oral chemotherapy, pain and anti-nausea medication, lymphedema supplies and durable medical equipment.

The Healthwell Foundation provides financial assistance to those with chronic or life-threatening diseases. Eligible individuals can receive help with copayments for prescription drugs, coinsurance, deductibles and other selected out-of-pocket costs.

Hope for Young Adults with Cancer helps young adults in active treatment and in remission for up to five years pay for daily living expenses.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps eligible patients obtain needed medications either free of charge or close to it. Being uninsured or underinsured is part of qualifying.

Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief provides direct financial assistance for prescription drug co-payments to eligible patients.

The Pink Fund provides short-term financial aid for basic living expenses to eligible breast cancer patients.

RXAssist provides information about free and low-cost medicine programs and other ways to manage medical costs.

Stupid Cancer maintains a list of financial resources, including educational financial aid for survivors and children of survivors.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a US federal income supplement program designed to help disabled individuals with little or no income. Eligibility is decided case by case. If you are eligible for SSI, other benefits (e.g. food stamps) may be available.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a US federal loss of income protection program. SSDI defines “disability” as a condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. If awarded, payments begin at sixth months from the date of determined disability.

Compassionate Allowance expedites the SSDI claim process. Certain disabling conditions, including metastatic breast cancer, receive a decision within three weeks. Funds are distributed in the same manner as regular SSDI (6 months from date of determination).

United Way's 2-1-1 Program has many programs to help those in need across the country, and you can call a service professional directly at 2-1-1 in the United States.

The Pink Fund Patients must be in active treatment*, as defined by The Pink Fund, for their breast cancer diagnosis. Patients must have been working at time of diagnosis, and are able to show a loss of income due to their breast cancer diagnosis.

Living beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) Grants can be used for living expenses such as mortgage, rent, utilities, and transportation.  Grants will range from $500 - $1,000 depending on the applicant’s circumstances and as funding allows. Please note that grants cannot be used to cover medical expenses. Contact number (855) 807-6386

GIFT FOR LIFE BLOCK WALK

Gift For Life Block Walk®

Affiliate chapters of Sisters Network® Inc. collaborate with organizations and community groups to coordinate the promotion of breast health awareness in the African American community through the Gift for Life Block Walk. This unique and innovative program allows breast cancer survivors to partner with volunteers and canvas door-to-door in the African American community to distribute breast health education brochures, resource information, and pink ribbons. The community has an opportunity to meet survivors, hear their stories, and experience their triumph over breast cancer. Individuals are invited to the event site to enjoy refreshments and visit breast cancer related agency exhibits and learn more about the resources and services available. Free mammograms are also offered by a mobile unit at select Sisters Network® Inc, affiliate chapters.

Pink Ribbon Awareness Initiative

The pink ribbon is the national symbol for breast cancer awareness. The Pink Ribbon Awareness Campaign is Sisters’ national faith-based educational outreach program that reaches women in church with information on how to access breast care services and resources. The focus of this outreach is to increase the number of women obtaining mammograms and heighten their general knowledge. Sisters Network affiliate chapter members and community volunteers disseminate information on breast cancer to African American churches across the United States. SNI members give testimonies as survivor role models to encourage and inspire.