The SAMFund Kicks Off 2015 Grant Cycle
More Than $1.35 Million Awarded to Young Adult Survivors Since 2005.
The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer has announced the opening of its annual grant cycle. This also marks the first time that The SAMFund’s grants program will include two application periods: one now and one in early 2016, in order to meet the needs of even more young adult (YA) survivors. Since 2005, The SAMFund has helped YAs empower themselves to achieve their educational, professional, and personal goals.
“While our ultimate goal is to see the need for our services and resources decrease with time—meaning fewer people are being affected financially by cancer treatment—the reality is that the need continues to grow,” said Samantha Watson, CEO of The SAMFund. “The money we raise goes directly to programs to help this population overcome their financial challenges and move forward with their lives.”
Katie W., a recent grant recipient from Austin, Texas, explained, “During treatment I lost my home, my job and my savings were depleted, and I will never forget the day The SAMFund fulfilled my grant request to pay two months of rent so I could finally start reestablishing my savings. There are many great organizations that help cancer patients, but once you are considered 'in remission,' much of the help stops. That’s why The SAMFund fills a critical void in life after cancer.”
The SAMFund’s two-part application process begins on May 27 and ends on June 19, 2015. After the first review period, selected applicants will be invited to submit applications for Part Two. Applicants will be notified in October 2015 as to whether they have received a grant. The link to the grant application can be found
.
Grant applicants must meet the following criteria: demonstrate financial need related to their cancer diagnosis/treatment; between the ages of 21 and 39; residents of the United States; and either: free of cancer, one year following the completion of planned therapy, OR in remission on maintenance therapy.
In addition to providing grants, The SAMFund hosts a
series and recently launched a
(in partnership with Triage Cancer), both designed to help YAs find the resources they need to make sound financial decisions during and after treatment. These free online programs aim to give YAs information and guidance to overcome the financial challenges most common within this population —finding affordable health insurance, dealing with medical bills, managing student loans and finding prescription assistance, among others.
