The Chronic Disease Fund Is Your Helping Hand
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Chronic Disease Fund Website
Up until three weeks ago, I've never heard of the Chronic Disease Fund. I should be thankful that I didn't need to know about it, but now I do. I recently came upon this organization when my husband needed assistance with his co-pay for a VERY expensive cancer treatment that was approved by the FDA just a few months ago.
The Chronic Disease Fund is a non-profit, charitable organization that offers assistance to people who can't afford the expensive medical care they need to survive. When I first heard about them through our oncologist I thought ... "Come on, seriously...there are no free rides in life! There is NO WAY a non-profit company is going to help us with the amount of money that we need! Even if they did, it would take forever to hear from them!" Well they accepted my husband and in record time!
All we had to do was fill out a few forms and fax the papers to them. In less then five days we received a letter from them saying, "you have been accepted for co-pay assistance!" I was SHOCKED! My husband wasn't....he's the optimist. When it comes to anything free I tend to lean towards pessimism. I was proven wrong. That's okay, I can handle that! This was fantastic news SINCE our oncology team told me point blank, NO MONEY, NO TREATMENT ... in other words "SHOW ME THE MONEY!" That conversation left me dumbfounded.
How any medical professional could just turn away a patient due to finances left me heartbroken! Mind you, they are collecting 80% from our insurance company and their pockets have been well lined from us in the past 3.5 years. We all know that cancer is expensive. But saving a life is what the medical profession should be about, what happened to that philosophy?
This is how the Chronic Disease Fund became a part of our lives. Being the curious person I am, I needed to know more! This organization began in 2003 and it receives no government funding. The CDF doesn't have a money tree, it's resources are achieved through donations and grants. Their resources are limited based upon contributions they acquire. 91 cents of each dollar they receive goes towards the patients care. Besides cancer patients they also offer support for other diseases such as multiple sclerosis, asthma, and macular degeneration, just to name a few. WOW! The more research I did the more I was amazed!
Their policy is you must apply and be accepted into the program before you receive any benefits. A patient must meet specific income qualification guidelines and be a resident of the USA. They even help pay for medications! Seriously!? Where have you been for the past 3.5 years!?!? What a lifesaver and piece of mind for so many people who are already under a great deal of stress from dealing with an illness.
All it takes is a simple email to CDF to see if you or a loved one qualifies. I received responses back within minutes for questions I had. They weren't able to assist me with one of my questions but they led me in the correct direction. I'm impressed with their excellent patient customer care. Whether you are the patient or the caregiver, it's comforting to know there is someone out there who truly cares and wants the best for you.
Some of my readers might already be familiar with this program and won't be as surprised as I was. If so, I hope you will share your stories with us. I truly hope you don't need to use this program and your health doesn't fail, but you might know someone who could use this information. Please pass it along. If you would like to make a donation to CDF, I'm sure they will greatly appreciate it. I'm very thankful for the CDF and I will pay it forward....
Founder of CDF.....
Mike Banigan is the Founder and President of Chronic Disease Fund. It's the nation’s largest and most effective provider of financial and medication assistance for those with chronic illness and cancer. Banigan’s background in the pharmaceutical and healthcare-services field, together with his years in finance and reinsurance, helped him revolutionize the patient assistance industry, paving the way for all others in this field. An entrepreneur since his early thirties, Banigan has founded several other companies in various industries.
Their Mission....
To improve the health and quality of life of patients with chronic disease, cancer, or other life-altering conditions who cannot afford the medications they so desperately need.
Chronic Disease Fund....
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Yaaay for the CDF!!! It's very nice that there are still nice people out there willing to help others. :)
I think you did pay it forward, you've told people about the foundation. Some of these people will tell others, and so it goes....forward and forward. Of these people, some, if not ALL woo make a donation ~ large or small.
I think, as Americans, it's a disgrace that more doctors don't 'donate' their services, including medications. Then you watch the news, some US doctor has funded a non American for extensive medical treatment. I'm not upset at the patient, but, at the doctor's.
We have SO many that need donated time/medications.
I WISH your husband weren't ill, that's hard on the heart.
Ok- off the soapbox.
I thank you for this information, I shall too, pay it forward. This is an amazing foundation.
Again, thank YOU
That is awesome information and awesome that the Chronic Disease Fund is helping you out. 91 cents for every dollar is a terrific percentages...very impressive. It makes me happy to hear that people out there care enough to start an organization like this to help out so many people. I appreciate all the links you have posted....this is a great way to get the day started...voted way up and way important. I imagine this news has to help Dave's spirits....which is some of the battle...great news again.
How I wish we had an organization such as the Chronic Disease Fund in South Africa, Sunshine! I have been housebound with a very debilitating illness for 32 years. I have had to manage on my own, in spite of serious physical limitations. My younger brother who is living with us, has a chronic form of Leukemia that requires amazingly expensive meds for life. No help for him as well. Thinking of you in your own battle. I am so glad you have discovered this source of help! Voted up and very useful!
Great News And Well Worth Sharing Linda!;)
Thank you for writing this wonderful article! We're so glad that we were able to be of help to you and your husband. We wish him luck through his treatment process. Take care!
Outstanding hub and really great information. Their help is greatly appreciated and the good deed needs to be paid forward. Thanks Sunshine for sharing, voted Up and useful. CDF keep up the important work and Thank You.
I believe you when you say that medical facilities want their money first! My husband just had an outpatient surgical procedure and we had to pay what the insurance didn't pay first, before he had the procedure. It was borrowed money, really, we never could have come up with it. Part was for rental of the facility, the rest for the doctor. Sad that its come down to this, but I guess there must be a lot of people who don't pay their bills, and the doctor still has to eat and pay his...
Wow I have truly never heard of this, I need to look into it more. That is awsome, I hope your husband is ok :) ge
Hi Susie, I understand about the outpatient clinic. I just had the same experience. They were more flexible with me and accepted a partial payment. It all depends on the caring person with a heart :)
Hi ge! It's an amazing foundation! Hopefully with their support for the expensive treatment my hubby needs it will help. Spread the word! Pay it forward :)
Hi Sunshine!
Wow, the Chronic Disease Fund really sounds like a great organization. They obviously keep costs really low to be able to put 91 cents of the dollar into real care. Awesome hub, Sunshine - well done!!!
Cloverleaf.
Hi Cloverleaf! Costs are kept low due to the kind-hearted volunteers. They are true blessings to the patients and caregivers. Have a great weekend :)
Hi Sunshine,
Thank you for this valuable information. Best wishes to you and your family!
Sharyn
Thanks for passing this along, sunshine625. Best to you and your husband.
A very useful Hub which , hopefully not, many people will need, but when they do it could save them. Most of the medications (99%) of what we need is covered by our national health law but we took out extra private insurance to be sure to be covered by all unfortunate possibilities. Best to your husband and you and his optimism swill certainly help.
Thank you for the comments and well wishes! There are so many patients it could help if they only knew about it. Doctors don't give the information freely for their own reasons. It's up to us to lend them our voice.
This reminds me of St. Jude's Hospital for children. It was started by Danny Thomas and no child is turned away.
Hi Flora, I've been a supporter of St Jude's since I was a kid. Anytime I had extra money I mailed it to them, even $5 can help somewhere. Since Danny is gone Marlo thomas has done an outstanding job keeping up with the glorious gift her dad had founded.
Sunshine thank you for this info !!! As of 2 days ago I lost my health insurance and a new policy would be over 600.00 a month, of which I can't afford......... this may be an answer to my prayers ! Thanks so much and you and your hubby will be in my prayers! Illness is so hard to handle, for the caregiver and family too.... and the added stress of money is almost over the top!
Hope you have the best Monday ever!
always wishing you well
Mia
P.S. Vote up and I put this hub on my facebook page! I hope it helps many others as well.
Hi Momma Mia! You have just made my morning...I truly hope the CDF can assist you! Do not hesitate to ask them ANY questions, they will response quickly and are very informative. Good luck my friend. Thank you for your comment and thoughts. http://www.cdfund.org/home.html
Thank you so much for this information. So many people need this help, including myself.
I shared this on Facebook. I bet someone could use this help. Too bad that it wasn't available when I was younger. Thanks.
I'm happy someone will benefit from this hub and the CDFund! Here's the link http://www.cdfund.org/home.html
Thank you!!!
Awesome stuff Sunshine!!
Sharing is caring!
Thanx!
Thank you Sunshine for sharing this information. My husband has several issues and we are choking to death on co-pays and medications. I am always holding my breath that we can afford the next treatment or medication that the doctor wants to try. I am going to contact the CDF and see if we qualify.
Hope your husbands treatment goes well. I am going to post this everywhere.
As long as your income is under a certain amount you will qualify. I really hope you get the assistance you deserve if they can't help they refer you to someone who can. Best of luck to you Texas Girl!!!
Thank you for sharing this important information
Amazing positive information and great to learn of this charitable organization. I believe there should also be exploration of 'alternative/complementary' treatments to be used with orthodox treatments, but like you said, money is the deciding factor. Sad.
Best wishes to your and your husband in this health battle.
Thank you for your well wishes frogyfish, they are appreciated!
Wow! I had never heard of this either!! Will keep that in mind and spread the word! Glad you found it :) Thanks for sharing!
This is very helpful information! Thank you for getting it out there. So many people can benefit. During times of stress and struggle, this is an enormous relief for people to experience. Up & USEFUL, Sunshine!!
Hi Nebraska and Paula! Thank you for spreading the word so that the others could benefit from the Chronic Disease Fund. They have been amazing to us.
Thank you for talking about the Chronic Disease Fund! I hope your husbamd is doing better!
This could be useful for my Mom!
Voted up and shared!
Awesome info here in this hub, I'm glad you and your husband actually found this CDF program to work for you both.
This is also some great info for others looking for alternative ways to get their medical issues taken care of, nice hub! Voted up & out.
Hi Audra, I'm glad to hear this information might benefit your mom. Just click the link above and it takes you right to the CDF website. Good luck!
Thank you for your comment CloudExplorer. Our oncologist informed us of the Chronic Disease Fund. I hope this information helps others.
fpherj48 8 months ago
This is incredibly valuable information. I doubt very many people are aware of this wonderful organization. You have done a good deed in bringing this to our attention. Thank you!