BOSTON, June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Surviving And Moving Forward: The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer today announced the opening of its annual grant cycle. Part One of the two-part application process will run from June 10 through July 11, 2014. The organization is hosting a free webinar to provide information and to answer common questions by potential applicants.

The SAMFund has launched a new social media campaign, entitled #cancerisntfree, to raise awareness about the financial aftermath of cancer that uniquely affects many young adult cancer survivors. It has also named seven past grant recipients as 2014 "Sambassadors" – volunteers who will join The SAMFund's four Alumni Leaders, all committed to "paying it forward" and helping The SAMFund grow.

More than 70,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S. Overwhelming medical bills, ongoing co-pays and depleted savings accounts – in addition to rising costs of living and healthcare – make it almost impossible for young adults to regain their financial independence after cancer. The SAMFund is the only organization designed to address this overlooked and unmet need among young adult cancer survivors. Over 90% of each donation to The SAMFund goes directly to grants and programs that mitigate the devastating financial impact of cancer.

"Receiving a SAMFund grant in 2013 gave me a new beginning as a healthy 30 year old to join a community of other young adult cancer survivors," said Jonathan Sommers, a survivor of testicular cancer and new Sambassador living in Los Angeles. "Connecting with others has inspired me to become a mentor to others during their cancer treatment." 

Samantha Watson, Founding Director of The SAMFund, said, "We have a great team of passionate, dedicated Sambassadors to represent us around the country and spread the message that cancer isn't free. So many young adult survivors are struggling after treatment to make ends meet and have no idea that there are resources available to them."

Watson continued, "The stress and anxiety that is caused by financial burdens from treatment weighs heavily on young survivors, which is why we are committed to alleviating as much of that as we can. In addition to providing grants to pay some of their bills, The SAMFund hosts free webinars to help young adults make sound financial decisions during and after treatment and find the resources they need to move forward.  We hope that these presentations provide the guidance and information to empower this community to overcome their financial challenges."

ABOUT The SAMFund

The SAMFund supports young adult cancer survivors in the United States as they recover from the financial impact of cancer treatment. Through direct financial assistance and free online support and education, The SAMFund helps young adults move forward towards their personal, professional, and academic goals. The SAMFund is a charter member of Critical Mass. For more information, visit http://www.thesamfund.org.

ABOUT SAMANTHA WATSON, FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF THE SAMFUND
Samantha Watson is a 36-year old two-time cancer survivor (diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma in 1999 and Secondary Myelodysplastic Syndrome in 2001) who founded The SAMFund in 2003. After her own years of treatment ended, she was struck by the incredible – and unmet – financial need among young adult survivors and the lack of resources available to them.

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CONTACTS:
Sarina Appel
Sarina@SarinaAppelPR.com
917-685-8686

Michele Bennett
michele@1Lcommunications.com
203-246-7859

SOURCE The SAMFund