We provide financial support to cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers to help protect their livelihood and thrive through their journey of survivorship.
We pay in full or partially medical, living, such as mortgage, rent, and utilities, and mental health and wellness bills.
Our founder, Dorothy Paredes, is a 3x Cancer Survivor, who experienced first-hand the financial hardships of cancer when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at 26. A reduction in pay from taking a leave of absence from work and debt from out-of-pocket expenses she had to terminate her apartment lease, sell her car, and move back home with her parents.
This change in independence caused depression, stress, and anxiety, while going through treatment.
Thankfully, Dorothy had family who could help with finances and to get her back on her feet after cancer, but still caried debt for several years after treatment. This experience was a catalyst in understanding a key gaps in Oncology care and cancer survivorship.
In 2021, The Atrium Foundation was founded to provide hope and renewal for those affected by cancer; we will be a hand that supports the journey of cancer survivorship.
Financial toxicity is a term used to describe the financial problems and distress a cancer patient and their family face due to the cost of treatment and its effects on their income and well-being. It can include direct out-of-pocket costs for treatment and indirect costs such as travel, time, and changes to employment. Financial toxicity can cause material loss, psychological distress, and maladaptive coping strategies. It can also affect the quality and access to cancer care. Financial toxicity is more common among cancer patients and survivors than among people without cancer.
References:
* Financial Toxicity (Financial Distress) and Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version - NCI
* Digging Out of Debt for Cancer Survivors (curetoday.com)
* The Financial Toxicity & Burden of Cancer Treatment - The Pink Fund
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