Financial Help and Resources for Cancer Patients
Cancer has touched the lives of almost everyone in the world, whether directly or indirectly. Unfortunately, the number of people continues to grow—the Canadian Cancer Society estimated that an average of 655 people in Canada would be diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and 238 people would die from the disease each day.
A cancer diagnosis undoubtedly puts massive psychological stress on patients and their families. For many Canadians, the financial cost of cancer care can be equally as challenging as the diagnosis. With that in mind, we’re here to provide you with resources about financial help and benefits for cancer patients.
The true cost of cancer
Everyone is aware of the emotional impact a cancer diagnosis has, but the financial cost is often something most people don’t consider. While it might be difficult to stomach, cancer patients and their loved ones must understand the full costs of cancer.
- Cancer-related costs were $26.2 billion in Canada in 2021. 30% of costs fell to patients and their families.
- In 2021, in the first year after cancer was diagnosed, patients and families’ costs amounted to almost $4.8 billion.
- On average, cancer patients in Canada pay $253 out-of-pocket per month on medications, caregiver expenses, and other cancer treatment-related costs.
Therefore, it’s vital to think about financial assistance for cancer patients, as not only do they face the direct expenses of medical care but also have to take into account the peripheral costs and arrangements. These can include travel, food, lodging, and other daily expenditures.
How to prepare for the cost of cancer treatment
It’s not a particularly pleasant thought, but it’s important to start planning and preparing for the cost of cancer treatment. Unfortunately for Canadians, the out-of-pocket costs of cancer are high, so you need to ensure you can handle the financial burden.
Consider critical illness insurance
Health insurance helps you pay for medical care in Canada. Depending on your health plan and the territory you live in, as well as whether you have a workplace or personal health care plan, you’ll receive cover for most of your health care needs. However, there may be some services your health care plan doesn’t cover.
Where additional health insurance is required, critical illness insurance covers a one-time lump-sum payment if you’re diagnosed with cancer. The amount of coverage you choose will determine the benefits you receive as a cancer patient, which is normally paid for by your insurance company after your diagnosis.
Insurance companies differ in how they define critical illness, so it’s important to read the terms and conditions before you choose a health insurance supplier and make sure you do your research.
Consider childcare costs and other expenses
There may be a chance that your childcare costs will increase if you’re not feeling well or recovering from surgery. If you have the flexibility, see if you can find a friend, community member, or relative willing and able to help out for free as soon as possible.
Also, consider any other new costs that may come up in the future when considering financial assistance for cancer patients. For instance, pulling things over someone’s head after surgery may hurt, so you might want to invest in a few staple pieces of clothing to make their healing process more comfortable post-surgery.
Take into account lost wages from time off work
Consider how much time you’ll have to take off work for treatment and speak to your HR department about how much you need to work to keep your health insurance coverage. Learn how to protect yourself in your workplace—have conversations and ask clarifying questions about your benefits beyond insurance with your HR department, including short- or long-term disability.
To provide an idea of what you could expect, a study found that newly diagnosed cancer patients reduced their labour participation by 36% ($4,518), and caregivers lost 23% of their workable hours ($2,887).
Pay attention to cancer drug costs and rules
It’s important to be aware that numerous rules affiliated with cancer medicines can result in large bills that patients must cover. In the Canadian health care system, drug spending has accounted for an increasingly large proportion of expenditures and is growing faster than any other component of health care.
As a result, Canada’s drug prices are now the third highest among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, which can impact how accessible some medications are to Canadians. The cost of medication can also be determined by the province and territory you live in.
How to get financial assistance for cancer treatment
If you have questions about financial assistance for cancer patients programs or state benefits for cancer patients, speak with your doctor or hospital social worker—the hospital business office should have helpful information and additional relief resources.
To access financial assistance for cancer patients, there are several routes you can explore. Here are some of the options available to you.
Government assistance
Many national and state programs provide free government assistance for cancer patients. Each program has unique eligibility requirements you must meet to gain access to any state benefits available for cancer patients.
- Canada Pension Plan – Disability Benefits
- Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits
- Employment Insurance (EI) – Compassionate Care Benefits
- Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits
- Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation
- Ontario Disability Support Program
- London Regional Cancer Program – Patient Assistance Program
- Patient Financial Assistance Program
- Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund
- Veteran Affairs Canada
The Canadian Cancer Society is an excellent source of information on financial help for Canadians diagnosed with cancer.
Patient assistance programs
Offering financial support to Canadians, patient assistance programs help patients who need timely access to medications and want to receive quality care throughout their treatment journey. Services often differ under patient assistance programs, but some may include:
- Reimbursement support
- Drug administration
- Pharmacy services
- Ongoing financial support (such as insurance renewals)
Make sure you research each program to see what they can offer. Some of the leading programs in Canada are run by:
Financial help from nonprofits for cancer patients
With the cost of cancer climbing, several nonprofit organizations that help cancer patients financially now exist. Note that some groups may only provide financial aid for cancer patients battling a specific type, and each organization has unique eligibility requirements.
You can call or email any of the following for more information:
- Breast Cancer Support Fund
- Rainy Day Fund
- The Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation
- Pancreatic Cancer Canada
Crowdfunding to support cancer patients
When you’re fighting cancer, it helps to have a robust support system from friends and family. If your friends and family are looking for ways they can support you, consider crowdfunding. Many excellent organizations help cancer patients financially by providing an easy way to start an online fundraiser.
A fundraiser is a great opportunity to ask your community to donate to help you in your fight to get healthy. It creates a space for friends and family to stay connected and leave words of encouragement, and it’s a great way to provide help for cancer patients to pay bills.
Your fundraiser will also be a space to post text, photos, videos, or even blog updates to let loved ones know how your treatment is going. Share the fundraiser on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media to spread the word.
Starting or managing your fundraiser on GoFundMe is free. However, there is one small transaction fee per donation that covers all your fundraising needs. Everything else goes directly to your cause because that’s what matters most.
Not sure where to start in organizing your fundraiser? Look at these fundraisers for inspiration.
Support Aaron GODSON Hernandez’s Battle w. Cancer
Friends of the Hernandez family started a fundraiser to get financial support for Aaron Hernandez and his family as he battles a rare form of cancer. Aaron has Anaplastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of lymphoma now in stage 4. He started chemotherapy at the Cross Cancer in Edmonton on January 26, 2024.
All donations go towards costs associated with their stay in Edmonton, bills, and supporting their family.
Let’s Support Tim Through His Cancer Journey
Tim was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer in January 2024. His close friends created a fundraiser using GoFundMe to make sure Tim and his partner Amy don’t have to worry about anything as they go through this journey.
Funds will help them live their lives, pay bills, and have some much-needed joy as Tim undergoes treatment.
Help Andrena with Cancer Treatment in Seattle
When Andrena was first diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer she was offered palliative care by her oncologist in Canada. Andrena found this to be counterintuitive, so she decided to pursue alternative treatment. Since then Andrena has explored several alternative cancer treatment modalities and works with a Chinese medicine doctor, two naturopaths, and her oncologist.
The treatment with her doctor will cost an estimated US$50,000, so this fundraiser is intended to offset the cost of treatment and living expenses.
Get help with the cost of cancer care
Numerous organizations help cancer patients financially and emotionally. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when it comes to healthcare. Every day, people battling cancer and their loved ones raise funds for treatment on GoFundMe.
We’ve made it easy to start a fundraiser, so you can get the financial assistance for cancer patients your loved one needs. We’ll be here to support you every step of the way.