Submitted 08/27/2020
DIAGNOSIS: Myxoid Liposarcoma
DATE OF DIAGNOSIS: June 2017
PHYSICIAN: Dr. Edward Fox
HOSPITAL: Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA
THE NEED:
My sarcoma diagnosis comes with a price tag of more than $2,000 per year (my deductible, plus co-pays for every office visit and test). My hospital won’t accept long-term payment plans and have sent me to collections, which they do every year. I make my monthly payments but my balance will always be more than I can possibly pay off with the deductible re-starting every year.
REFERRED BY: Nora Kestler Murray and I was a previous recipient (thank you so much)
This is a SECOND request from Heidi in August 2020. The details of her first request, which we approved are below. We do allow new requests from patients annually. FYI.
Lisa
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RFA – Heidi (Age 49) *approved/completed* 06/28/2019
Submitted 06/19/2019
DIAGNOSIS: Mixoid Liposarcoma
DATE OF DIAGNOSIS: July 2017
PHYSICIAN: Dr. Edward Fox
HOSPITAL: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA
THE NEED:
My sarcoma-related expenses from co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance have amounted to so much debt that it is getting harder and harder to keep up with other bills. Any help will help with all of the above.
REFERRED BY: Facebook Sarcoma Sunflower Group
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Although I realize we can give grants each year and can give again for the same requester for some reason this one does not sit well with me. Co-pays are standard in all our medical care and many of us have had to figure out how to pay those payments. Our fund was established to really help for those fees and situations that are over and above the standard yearly co-pays. Just my two – cents in a change shortage world….
Oh say I say sorry – NO
Nora
Expenses should be over and above standard care…. travel-lodging- food- parking and additional medical expenses and needs that arise from treatment. Please do not take my feelings the wrong way! We all have a financial responsibility and struggle to pay larger medical bills and expenses even more so during the pandemic and world crisis we are experiencing.
In my opinion, if she wasn’t strapped and in a bind, she wouldn’t ask. I have firsthand knowledge of Mixoid Liposarcoma and as the treatments continue they are grasping at straws and the treatments are a bitch. I’m not saying that all cancers aren’t a bitch, trust me.
Anything, that is given to her at this point would be much appreciated I am sure. Perhaps, it would save her from being evicted who knows and I think there ought to be acceptions to every rule. She hasn’t asked anything in over a year…it’s not like it’s a monthly request.
Thanks,
Lori
I hate to refuse someone in need but if we’ve already given to her maybe we should tell her no this time. She is asking for a large sum this time.
I reread our statement regarding assistance, here it is :
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FINISH Sarcoma is committed to helping Sarcoma patients and their families who are faced with additional ongoing expenses incurred while seeking treatment, i.e., travel expenses, meals, etc. The sarcoma patient must be from one of the following states: MD, PA, VA, WV or OH, and must be in treatment by a Sarcoma Team.
Maximum financial assistance available per patient per year is $500.00.
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Regardless of how we feel, her request is outside of our scope. Therefore I also think this request should be denied.
Lisa