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National Spotlight

Financial Resources —Did you know that there are many financial resources that can help people living with breast cancer? Find out more

Rally for the Cure — Golf, tennis, dinner events and so much more...

Go Passionately Pink to help save lives! — Just wear pink, have fun and raise money to fight breast cancer. Be inspired by the multitude of ideas right here, or think of your own. There are so many creative ways to have fun and fight breast cancer.

Local Resources

Sometimes, we all need a little help. Whether you are trying to figure out how to afford a mammogram, get to treatment or pay your heating bill, sometimes you can’t do it alone. Unfortunately, navigating our social safety net can sometimes be challenging, especially if you’re dealing with cancer.

Please note that the Komen Maine Affiliate does not give funds directly to individuals; instead, we fund nonprofit organizations working on breast cancer and breast health, and we work with individuals to connect them with our grantees and other community resources that are available to them.

Below is a list of resources that we have compiled in an attempt to be as comprehensive as possible; many thanks to the people and organizations who contributed to the list.  If you know of resources not shown here, or if you have updates about the information below, we hope you will email us at regina@komenmaine.org and let us know. It will be a big help to us and to the people who use this tool after you. 


Thank you, and take care.

The Komen Maine Team

 

STATEWIDE RESOURCES IN MAINE

Komen Maine Affiliate Grantees

The Komen Maine Affiliate awards grants to Maine nonprofits working on breast health or breast cancer. Projects range from education and outreach to financial assistance for screening and treatment, and everything in between. Some, but not all, of our funded projects are listed on this page, so visit our website to see a list of current grantees and descriptions of their Komen-funded projects.

Maine Breast & Cervical Health Program

MBCHP offers no-cost mammograms and Pap tests to women age 40 or older who qualify. Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer who qualify for MBCHP may also be eligible for free medical care through the Treatment Act. For more information, call 1-800-350-5180 and press 1. If hearing impaired:  TTY 1-800-438-5514.

MaineCare

Maine’s Medicaid program, providing health insurance to people meeting income and asset restriction guidelines. For more information, call 1-800-321-5557.

Maine Breast Cancer Coalition

MBCC provides flexible financial support for underserved people with breast health or breast cancer needs through their Support Services Fund, as well as advocating for breast cancer research and legislation, and providing education to promote knowledge about breast cancer and quality care. Call 1-800-928-2644 or visit the website to apply for assistance.

Consumers for Affordable Healthcare

Advocates for Maine people to have access to quality, affordable healthcare. Along with the Maine Attorney General’s Office and the Maine Bureau of Insurance, oversees the Maine Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program, which helps consumers get their health care bills paid, file appeals with insurance companies, and understand their rights and responsibilities with their insurance. Call 1-800-965-7476 or email consumerhealth@mainecahc.org for more information.

Hospitals

Call your local hospital. Hospitals in Maine offer reduced or no-cost care to those who qualify. Call the hospital's billing office to apply for Free or Reduced Cost Care. Also, connect with a social worker or a patient navigator to see if there are other resources available at the hospital. 

Road to Recovery

This American Cancer Society program provides free transportation to treatments. Call 1-800-227-2345 for more information about the program in your area.

General Assistance

Call your local town office. Each town offers general assistance, when no other resources are available, to help people in emergencies. Household size, income and expenses are considered. Nothing will be covered without prior approval; residents must contact the town office before incurring medical bills.

2-1-1 Maine

A comprehensive statewide directory of over 8,000 health and human services available in Maine, the toll free 2-1-1 hotline connects callers to trained call specialists who can help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 2-1-1, or visit the website to get help.

Maine Food Assistance Programs

This website lets you search by county for food pantries in Maine.


REGIONAL RESOURCES IN MAINE


Local Maine Community Action Agencies

Offer services ranging from heating assistance (LIHEAP) to transportation to childcare to screening assistance. Services differ between organizations; contact your local office listed below.  

Local Maine Agencies on Aging

A good resource for elder Mainers, these organizations offer a variety of services. Services may differ between organizations. Contact your agency at the number below.

  • Aroostook County: Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, Presque Isle. 207-764-3396, 1-800-439-1789, or TTY 207-992-0150
  • Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Washington Counties: Eastern Area Agency on Aging, Bangor. 207-941-2865, 1-800-432-7812 or TTY 992-0150
  • Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Somerset and Waldo Counties, Brunswick and Harpswell: Spectrum Generations (formerly Senior Spectrum)                          Augusta  207-622-9212, 1- 800-639-1553 or TTY 207-623-0809, Toll Free TTY 1-800-464-8703
  • Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties: SeniorsPlus, Lewiston. 207-795-4010, 1-800-427-1241 or TTY 207-795-7232
  • Cumberland, except Brunswick and Harpswell, and York Counties: Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Scarborough.  207-396-6500, 1-800-427-7411 or TTY 207-883-0532

Community Health Connection

A program of York Hospital providing health services for low-income residents of Kittery, Eliot, York, Wells, Ogunquit, and South Berwick. For more information, call 207-361-6988, or email betsychc@comcast.net.

Regional Transportation Program (RTP)

For Cumberland County residents, Regional Transportation Program (RTP) will provide rides to/from medical appointments free of cost to those who have Maine Care and for a low fee for those not covered by Maine Care. Individuals must enroll in the program and call well in advance before scheduling rides. Call RTP at 774-2666

CancerCare of Maine

Cancer Care of Maine has begun a new program called "The Image Project". The Image Project assists patients who are going through hair loss with wig selection and fittings. This is a no charge service. The Image Project is accepting donated wigs to use for the project. They are also recruiting for volunteers to assist with the project. If interested in becoming involved in this program please contact Nadine Bullion at 973-7476, or Barbara Ford at 478-5104.

Cancer Community Center

Located in South Portland, the Cancer Community Center provides free services, including wellness classes, support groups, community outreach and a library. Call 207-774-2200, or toll free 1-877-774-2200.

Dean Snell Cancer Foundation

Cancer patients being seen at the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine in Brunswick may qualify for financial assistance from this foundation. Ask at the hospital or email deansnellcancerfoundation@gmail.com.

MaineHealth CarePartners Program

CarePartners provides financial assistance to low income residents of Augusta, Belfast, Damariscotta, Portland, and Waterville, and some surrounding towns, who are also ineligible for medicare/medicaid. Visit their website to learn more about eligibility, or call 1-877-626-1684

Franklin Community Health Network

FCHN provides financial guidance and assistance to residents of Franklin County. Call (207) 779-2772 for more information.

The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing

Located in Lewiston, The Dempsey Center is a part of Central Maine Medical Center, providing education, support and wellness services to enhance the quality of life of individuals, families and communities touched by cancer. Services include wellness classes, financial counseling, patient navigation, and community education. Call 1-877-336-7287 for more information.

Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center

Located in Bangor, MWWHC offers annual exams, breast health and menopause education, and support to all Maine women, especially those who are of limited income, lesbians and/or women with disabilities. Call 947-5337.

Caring Connections

A partnership between the Bangor Y and Eastern Maine Medical Center, Caring Connections is located in Bangor. Caring Connections offers breast cancer support groups, and no-cost breast and cervical screenings for women age 40-64 through the Maine Breast & Cervical Health Program; breast exams and imaging for qualifying younger women through the Bridging the Gap program; support groups; and community education and information, including a program called Bridging Books for newly diagnosed women. For more information, call 941-2808.

Ride to Wellness

A program through Penquis that provides transportation to breast cancer treatment for patients in Penobscot or Piscataquis Counties who are traveling to Eastern Maine Medical Center. Volunteer drivers can pick up individuals at their homes and bring them to treatment or, if you have your own transportation, the program will provide mileage reimbursement to the patient or friends or family who transport. Call The Lynx at 973-3695 or 1-866-853-5969.

Cancer Support Center of Maine

This organization, located in Bucksport, provides free services to cancer patients & survivors through outreach, education, advocacy, and social support. Their goal is to help people navigate the often complex and confusing bureaucracy of health management in a time of crisis with an emphasis on free or reduced cost programs.  Call 207-469-6363 or visit the website. 

Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center

Located in Ellsworth, the Beth C. Wright Cancer Center serves people in Hancock and Washington Counties who have been diagnosed with cancer. Call 207-664-0339.

 

NATIONAL RESOURCES

Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Komen for the Cure’s® national headquarters keeps their website up-to-date with the latest evidence-based information about breast cancer. The “Understanding Breast Cancer” section of the website contains a number of interactive tools and features. Komen also operates a breast health helpline, which provides support and information around breast cancer and breast health. Call 1-877-GO-KOMEN.

American Cancer Society

ACS is a national organization offering a variety of programs in Maine, including transportation, lodging, and emotional support to cancer patients and their families. Call 1-800-227-2345.

Medicare

Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older and under age 65 with certain disabilities. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation

This foundation provides co-payment assistance to underinsured patients with chronic diseases, including breast cancer. Qualified patients will be granted up to $7,500 per year to cover out-of-pocket expenses associated with their treatment. Patients can apply for assistance online or by calling 1-866-316-PANF (7263).

Vickie S. Honeycutt Foundation

This foundation provides financial assistance to educators battling cancer-related illness. Website instructs people seeking assistance to contact them via email: info@vickiehoneycutt.org.

 

CancerCare

An organization providing limited financial assistance with things like transportation for treatment, home care and child care. CancerCare does not help with basic living expenses such as rent, utilities, etc. There is a downloadable application on their website.

CancerCare Copayment Assistance Foundation

Affiliated with CancerCare, this foundation provides financial help for copays for certain cancer medications. A list of covered medications is available at the website. Call 1-866-552-6729 for more information. (Note: As of 12/2011 the breast cancer fund was closed, but the website encourages people to check back periodically to see if it has reopened.) 

Linking Arms

A partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and CancerCare that provides financial assistance grants of up to $350 to help with medication costs for eligible individuals. Grants can be used for oral chemotherapy and hormonal therapy medications, pain and anti-nausea medication, medical equipment and lymphedema support and supplies. Call 1-877-GO-KOMEN for more info.

The Co-Pay Relief Program

A partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Patient Advocate Foundation, that provides direct financial support for pharmaceutical drug co-payment assistance to insured patients, including those with Medicare Part D, who qualify. Call 1-866-512-3861 to connect with a call counselor who can guide you through the enrollment process.

Chronic Disease Fund

This organization provides copayment and medication assistance. Visit the website to apply online, or to print an application. 

Patient Advocate Foundation

This foundation is a national nonprofit providing professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life-threatening, and debilitating illnesses. PAF case managers serve as active liaisons for patients and their insurers, employers, or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention, and debt crisis matters as they relate to the patient’s diagnosis. Visit the website or call 1-800-532-5274.

Right Action for Women

Together in partnership with the Cancer Support Community, this program provides financial assistance for young women (under 45) who are at high risk of breast cancer to access MRI screening. Visit this link for information about the financial assistance component of the organization.

Angel Flight Northeast

Angel Flight arranges free flights to those requiring access to medical care. Call 1-800-549-9980.

Arbor House

Located near Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Arbor House provides lodging for patients and their families. For more information about the Arbor House, call 207-795-2398.

Hope Lodge, Boston, MA

Another program of the American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge offers a free place to stay for patients who travel to Boston for treatments. Call 1-800-227-2345.  

Citizen’s Energy

Citizen’s Energy provides fuel oil assistance. Call 1-877-Joe-4-OIL.

Cancer and Careers

Cancer and Careers is dedicated to empowering and educating people with cancer to thrive in their workplace by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events. Through a comprehensive website, free publications, career coaching, and a series of support groups and educational seminars for employees with cancer and their healthcare providers and coworkers, Cancer and Careers strives to eliminate fear and uncertainty for working people with cancer.

Cancer Legal Resource Center

The CLRC is a national, joint program of the Disability Rights Legal Center and Loyola Law School Los Angeles providing free information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, employers, and others coping with cancer


 


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