Every year in the United States, more than 15,000 children and teens are diagnosed with cancer. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK,) the organization that receives all of the funds raised by the 9th Floor Foundation, is home to the largest pediatric oncology program in the country—and treats more young cancer patients than any other hospital nationwide, with 1,200 unique patient visits annually. MSK is committed to ensuring that all patients who come through its doors have full access to care, regardless of their ability to pay.
Through the Pediatric Family Assistance Fund, MSK can help families cover the cost of nonmedical expenses that arise while a child is in active treatment—covering the cost of transportation or parking; housing for out-of-town patients; childcare for the patient’s siblings; groceries for special diets; and even clothing. I am proud to highlight a few of the families that have been beneficiaries of this fund.
Given the complicated medical and emotional demands of cancer treatment, the process for applying for Pediatric Family Assistance funds is intentionally straightforward and unintimidating. From the first moment a patient visits MSK, a dedicated financial counselor helps the family with billing, insurance, and related issues. If a patient or family encounters financial hardship, the counselor refers them to the Family Assistance Fund.
Regardless of economic circumstance, every person deserves to be treated with skill, compassion, and dignity. On behalf of the entire Memorial Sloan Kettering community, and in particular the children who have benefited from your Foundation’s generosity, we extend heartfelt appreciation and deepest thanks. This crucial work would not be possible without The 9th Floor Foundation’s longstanding generosity.
Through the Pediatric Family Assistance Fund, MSK can help families cover the cost of nonmedical expenses that arise while a child is in active treatment—covering the cost of transportation or parking; housing for out-of-town patients; childcare for the patient’s siblings; groceries for special diets; and even clothing. I am proud to highlight a few of the families that have been beneficiaries of this fund.
- A five-year-old boy from Connecticut has been receiving an experimental treatment at MSK for a brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). The family lacks community and financial resources due to recently moving to the area and only speaking Portuguese.
- For the past ten years, a 19-year-old boy has been receiving treatment for relapsed neuroblastoma, a disease originating in the nervous system. Due to his extensive treatment, he unfortunately suffers from a number of long-term side effects. He and his mother travel to MSK regularly from Virginia. He recently lost his father to an accident and his mom takes time away from work to tend to his medical needs, resulting in reduced household income.
- A 13-year-old girl has been in treatment at MSK for osteosarcoma, a tumor of the bone, for the past two years—including reconstructive orthopedic surgery. She and her family travel from Long Island for her chemotherapy and repeated surgical interventions. The family is supported by only the father’s annual income, which he earns as a facilities assistant in a school.
Given the complicated medical and emotional demands of cancer treatment, the process for applying for Pediatric Family Assistance funds is intentionally straightforward and unintimidating. From the first moment a patient visits MSK, a dedicated financial counselor helps the family with billing, insurance, and related issues. If a patient or family encounters financial hardship, the counselor refers them to the Family Assistance Fund.
Regardless of economic circumstance, every person deserves to be treated with skill, compassion, and dignity. On behalf of the entire Memorial Sloan Kettering community, and in particular the children who have benefited from your Foundation’s generosity, we extend heartfelt appreciation and deepest thanks. This crucial work would not be possible without The 9th Floor Foundation’s longstanding generosity.