Family Reach Foundation

In 2016, my family and friends joined me in a fundraising weekend a few days before I underwent a risk-reducing double mastectomy. As many of you know, I have a BRCA1 mutation which means that before my surgery, I had an over 60% chance of developing breast cancer. On January 31st, I will be undergoing another surgery to reduce my risk of developing ovarian cancer. Having a genetic mutation does a lot of crazy things to your head - it also makes you have to do a lot of things to your body. But what an awesome privilege it is to be able to quantify my cancer risk and be proactive about potentially preventing disease in the future. Unfortunately, not everyone knows their risk of cancer. Approximately 80% of those who carry a genetic predisposition don't know it and many will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their life.

Cancer is one of the most expensive medical conditions to treat. In 2022, more than two out of five working-age adults are underinsured, meaning they are either uninsured or have a type of coverage that does not provide them with affordable access to health care. It is estimated that over 20% of patients with cancer experience significant financial hardship as a result of their diagnosis, and up to 60% report stress or worry about paying medical bills.

Family Reach is a national nonprofit dedicated to alleviating the financial burden of cancer. Working with more than 300 hospitals and cancer centers nationwide, the organization provides immediate financial assistance, education and navigation to families before they hit critical breaking points.