Cis B. Golder Quality of Life Grant Eases Burden of Cancer Survivors

During the holidays, the physical and emotional burdens of battling cancer can be overwhelming. The unanticipated medical bills on top of it increase the sense of isolation and despair. The Cis B. Golder Quality of Life Grant assists women who are dealing with financial hardships that are directly related to their breast cancer diagnosis.

The grants help about 200 women a year in eight counties in the Philadelphia/South Jersey region who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 18 months or are living with advanced/metastatic disease.

"Receiving this grant made a huge difference in my life. I was able to focus more on my treatment without getting stressed over how those bills were getting paid," said a Golder Grant recipient.

Since 2006, the Golder Grant has helped approximately 1,400 women with funds to pay for household necessities such as rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation, groceries, childcare, respite care and services to promote wellness during recovery. These one-time grants average $750-$1,000 and are paid directly to the services or vendors requested.

It is named for Cis Golder, a dedicated volunteer for LBBC for more than a decade who was diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer three times. When she passed away in May 2006, her family and friends created the grants to carry on Cis Golder's legacy.

The grant is a collaboration between Living Beyond Breast Cancer of Haverford and Bringing Hope Home, Inc, of Wayne, PA. Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with trusted breast cancer information and a community of support. Founded in 1991, LBBC addresses the current needs of people affected by breast cancer, whether they are newly diagnosed, in treatment, recovery or managing a metastatic form of the disease.

Resources are developed in collaboration with the nation's leading oncologists, health professionals and ally organizations and are delivered by people who understand the physical and emotional complexities of breast cancer. LBBC offers its programs and services in a variety of formats, in person, and through its toll-free Breast Cancer Helpline.

Bringing Hope Home of Wayne, PA, is a non-profit organization that provides "unexpected amazingness" to local families with cancer through financial and emotional support. Through its Light of Hope Family Grant Program, the organization offers a one-time grant to pay essential household bills for families with cancer in the Greater Philadelphia Area.

Since its inception in 2008, Bringing Hope Home has paid over $2 million dollars in essential household bills for more than 1,950 local families. Grant applications are accepted in March, June, September and December.??