The SAMFund Awards $250,000 to Young Adult Cancer Survivors in Tenth Annual Grants Cycle
Largest Amount Distributed in Organization's History
BOSTON, Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Surviving And Moving Forward: The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer has announced that the recipients of their tenth annual grants cycle have been selected and notified. More than $250,000 is being distributed to 121 recipients from across the country, a record amount in The SAMFund's decade-long history of giving back. The SAMFund has awarded a total of $1.3 million since 2005.
Founded in 2003, The SAMFund is the only support organization for young adult cancer survivors in the U.S. that helps them overcome the "financial toxicity" that results from cancer treatment. In addition to direct financial assistance, The SAMFund also provides free online support and education through an informational Webinar series and newest program, Finances 101: A Toolkit for Young Adults with Cancer.
"After ten years of awarding grants, we are still seeing young adult survivors of cancer who are bankrupting themselves to pay for health insurance and are struggling to pay rent and put food on the table because all of their money has been spent on cancer treatment, " said Samantha Watson, two-time cancer survivor and executive director of The SAMFund. "Our grants are designed to give people breathing room so that they can regroup, regain their independence and get back to being independent, productive members of society. Our goal is to help them get back on track towards theirs, whether that means starting a family, going back to school or healing mentally from their treatment."
"I received SAMFund grants in 2014 and 2015, both of which covered my overwhelming vehicle payments and insurance. When I found out that I got the first grant to pay for my car, I cried with relief of not losing the only piece of personal property I own," said Courtney Schmidt, a two-time grant recipient who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 27.
She continued, "Many people don't see this side of cancer – the financial burdens that come after treatment. I share a room with my kids. Planting our family's roots is hard enough without the major financial issues caused by cancer and the lost time. With this financial help from The SAMFund, I feel like I'm getting back more of the life and energy that my cancer treatment took away."
Breakdown of 2014 SAMFund Grants (See Graphic):
Rent/Utilities 45.2%
Medical/Insurance 18.0%
Family Building 15.0%
Car-related 8.9%
Wellness 4.8%
Other 8.1%
TOTAL 2014 GRANTS: $250,000
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 to regain financial independence following treatment. The SAMFund is proud to provide a unique type of support for young adults who are struggling, but determined, to move forward with their lives.
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. Over 90% of each donation to The SAMFund goes directly to programs that mitigate the devastating financial impact of cancer. The SAMFund is a charter member of Critical Mass. For more information, visit http://www.thesamfund.org.
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CONTACTS:
Sarina Appel
[email protected]
917-685-8686
Michele Bennett
[email protected]
203-246-7859
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SOURCE The SAMFund
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