Patient Stories
29 year old woman…
A beautiful mother of four children ages two to twelve, and guardian of a 16 year old boy was diagnosed recently with stage 3 breast cancer. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy and then began radiation therapy. While still receiving treatment, her doctors found the particularly aggressive cancer had spread to her brain. She is no complainer and has faced her diagnosis and now terminal condition with grace and wisdom seldom seen in women so young. This family will highly appreciate any assistance you may be able to offer. She is now also needing to travel weekly to Dana Farber for a clinical trial as well as continuing her radiation locally in Connecticut. Child care is being donated by family and friends to help keep the kids lives as “normal” as possible.
Oncology Social Worker is requesting assistance with rent, utilities and food expenses.
33 year old patient…
A lovely female diagnosed with breast cancer reports being greatly fatigued and managing her day to day activities is very difficult. She also has a learning disability that makes work nearly impossible as she cannot read.
Social Worker requesting assistance with rent, utilities and literacy classes.
40 year old woman…
A divorced female with widely metastatic lung cancer has been homeless for the past several months. She reports that she has been staying in her car and goes to a friend’s house to sleep. She has found an apartment in Groton and requires assistance with the security deposit in order for her to have a secure place to stay. She has two children that she has been unable to visit during the past two months. Securing this apartment will enable her to have regular visitation with her children. She is aware that her prognosis is terminal however she has been fighting her disease for two years and has no intention of giving up.
Social Worker requesting assistance with security deposit for apartment rental.
44 year old woman…
A single mother and grandmother living in Connecticut was diagnosed with breast cancer. Prior to this time she was an independent, self sufficient woman who worked three part-time jobs in order to provide for her family. In the course of her care she underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Unfortunately she recently learned that her cancer has metastasized and in spite of all her efforts, she is now faced with stage four breast cancer. As a result of her symptoms and the side effects of treatment she is no longer able to work.
Oncology Social Worker is requesting assistance with basic living expenses.
59 year old man…
A lovely gentleman working as a custodian, has no car to get back and forth to work. He has been biking to work and to his cancer treatments despite his stage III lung cancer and very thin frame. This not only takes a great deal of courage and strength but is especially difficult for a man who has lived his life independently and never wanted to “take a handout”! After much counseling, his social worker was able to convince him to accept rides for treatment but he continues to work his physically demanding job so he will not lose his job or income. In addition, he had to reduce his work week to four days to accommodate the chemotherapy which he is receiving in conjunction with his radiation treatment.
He also pays child support for his 12 year old son that lives nearby. His current plan is to take the bus to work (which he will have to pay for); however his social worker is concerned that all his “cutting corners” financially have resulted in a reduced nutritional status.
Oncology Social Worker is requesting assistance with rent and food expenses.
64 year old man…
A caring man with stage four prostate cancer lives in a house with his wife and daughter, both of whom are disabled. He continues to work to maintain his health insurance and to earn some money. Unfortunately it is not enough to cover his expenses. He recently put his home on the market in hopes of selling it before they lose it, as he would like to leave some money for his wife and daughter after he dies.
Oncology Social worker is requesting assistance with mortgage payment.