Cancer Angels of San Diego (CASD) was established to address the financial needs of stage IV cancer patients who are facing severe financial hardship. At stage IV, the cancer has spread to several places in the body and requires ongoing treatment for life. The good news: people can live for years with stage IV cancer due to the many advances of research. The bad news: the treatments necessary to keep them alive usually cause severe side effects such as nausea, weakness, terrible aches and pains, and disabling fatigue. Since they can no longer work, they are unable to pay for the basic necessities of life, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, food, gas, and car repairs.
Twenty-five percent of San Diego County cancer patients will be diagnosed with stage IV. Of these unfortunate individuals, 33 percent will be unable to pay their medical bills; 25 percent of them will face homelessness. Many decide to give up treatment and try to work for as long as they can. This forced choice adds an additional hardship to their lives at a time when they are least able to cope with it. Often, these individuals carry tremendous guilt because they have to continually ask family and friends for financial help.
CASD is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that distributes 100 percent of its revenues, after a few operational costs, to help its clients pay landlords, mortgage holders, and utility companies. CASD offers gift cards for grocery stores, gas stations, and clothing stores; and provides funds for other services that are essential for living.
Next up — on Saturday, July 31, at the beautiful Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, Cancer Angels of San Diego’s 2010 Walk will raise money to help San Diego cancer patients meet their normal living expenses. (www.cancerangelsofsandiego.org, www.active.com/donate/casd2010)
