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How We've Helped
Since its inception in 1995, The Vanguard Cancer Foundation has raised over $1 million and has sponsored more than 300 chemosensitivity analyses for patients in need. Cancer poses challenges and hardships that only those families touched by it can fully understand. Our mission is to provide patient specific chemotherapy profiles that provide the most effective, least toxic options to every individual.
Below are a few of the individuals that we have assisted:
S.D. – Diagnosed with ovarian cancer 9 years ago (age 32) while delivering her baby. Awoke from surgery having a full hysterectomy & told she had advanced ovarian cancer. Started chemo when her son was 5 days old. Has been on continuous treatment ever since. Many treatments are not covered by insurance. Tremendous financial burden on her family/marriage.
V.T. – 54 y/o woman with primary peritoneal cancer. Diagnosed in September 2005. Due to demands of scheduling, attending doctor’s appointments, treatments, etc., could no longer run her business and was forced to sell it quickly so she could focus on her illness. Proceeds from sale of her business have been depleted by ongoing costs of medical expenses, co-payments and prescriptions not covered by her insurance. She relies on family member’s assistance. Has no income.
V.T. – 49 y/o retired police officer with metastatic kidney cancer. Mother of 3. Husband killed Dec 24th, 2003 by speeding motorist who ran a red light. She has been struggling to keep things going. Diagnosed with kidney cancer in Dec 2007. Had her kidney removed and the disease has now metastasized to her bone. She has been unable to work. Two small children at home, and 7 grandchildren that she helps support.
C.D. – 54 y/o female with metastatic breast cancer to lungs, liver & brain. Tried diligently to get preapproval from Cigna, but medical review not quick enough.
V.M. – 33 y/o mother of 2 (age 7 & 5). On SSI, disability, food stamps. States some child support, although not consistent or reliable. Breast cancer with involvement to bones, liver & brain.
M.W. – 28 year old mother of 3 (twin boys 7, daughter 4) from New Zealand with metastatic sarcoma. Physicians have nothing further to offer. Country raised money so that she could come here to get assay. Surg/phys all donated their time. No insurance.
S.R. – 54 y/o woman with breast cancer, metastatic to liver and lumbar spine. Diagnosed July 2007. On disability and applying for social security benefits. Husband’s general contractor business has been slow and he doesn’t work so he can take care of her.
A.S. – 45 y/o woman with 6 year old and 9 month old baby. Hasn’t worked for 7 months while taking care of her mother with breast cancer who passed away in October 2007. Moved to open new naturopathic practice. Scheduled to open February 2008. Diagnosed with breast cancer February 5, 2008. No income coming in.
R.D. – 27 year old, United States Air Force, currently stationed in Oklahoma City. Served two tours in Iraq and was preparing to return when diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Fighting an identity theft case.
R.P. – 53 y/o American Airlines flight attendant. On social security/disability for 2 years. Depleted savings.
R.D. – 48 y/o male, father of two. Leukemia since 2000. Underwent stem cell transplant in 2006, with recurrence October 2007. Very sick. Off work for one year in 2006. Now on Leave of Absence and future return to work in question. Most treatments administered in hospital. Wife misses work to provide care during treatments, etc. Not eligible for clinical trials due to poor performance status.
G.R. – 45 y/o unemployed female with breast cancer metastatic to bone, liver & peritoneum. Original diagnosis in 1996. Receives $248/month disability. States, “experiencing extreme financial difficulties due to ongoing long-term treatment.” Trying to pay off balances of medical expenses.
T.B. – 42 y/o single, mother of 2 (4 & 7) with stage IV breast cancer. Medi-Cal, SSI disability. Has recently lost all hearing possibly due to brain mets. Friends trying to help her but having many financial and emotional difficulties.