How to Get Help

Please select from the needs below to see answers and resources.

1. I need information about breast cancer
2. I need a mammogram
3. I need financial help with medical bills and more
4. I need help paying for prescriptions and medications

I need information about breast cancer

Call the Komen Breast Care Helping at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) for breast cancer information and support. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7p.m.EST; Friday, 9 a.m.-5p.m. EST.

Go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure About Breast Cancer website There you will find the latest on diagnosis and treatment, risk factors and screening, and a host of other topics—like complementary therapies, life after treatment, and quality medical care.

Download our Resource Guide for Breast Health and Healing. It is designed to assist women with breast cancer, as well as their family and friends, and to help them navigate the many available resources. The guide is not meant to be exhaustive; it does list many local resources.

I need a mammogram

The best protection against breast cancer is early detection. To find an accredited mammography facility in your area, call 1-800-4-CANCER. 

For those with limited financial resources or limited insurance coverage, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene provides cancer screening to eligible women through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. To see if you qualify, call 1-800-477-9774 or your local health department at one of the following numbers:

I need financial help with medical bills and more

Cancer can be a tremendous financial burden on the whole family. Not only do hospital and medical bills pile up, but also other expenses that insurance often doesn't cover, such as transportation or child care. If the person diagnosed with breast cancer also stops working, even more expenses, from the mortgage to elecrtic bills can pile up and a financial crisis can loom. Unfortunately, serious health problems cause about half of all personal bankruptcies, and most of those who go bankrupt because of medical problems have health insurance.

There are financial resources available; it is important that if you need financial help that you let someone know and ask for assistance. Often your health care team, nurses or social workers can connect you with resources available in your community.

Catastrophic Health Planners
410-871-0751
www.chp1.org
Provides free educational development, support, and referrals for improving the quality of life of individuals and families facing a catastrophic health event.

American Breast Cancer Foundation
1-877-323-4226
www.abcf.org
Financial assistance for screening and diagnostic mammography and ultrasound, consultation with a surgeon, biopsy, and treatment and the purchase of wigs and prosthesis. Emergency grants are also available.

American Cancer Society
1-888-227-6333
www.cancer.org
Provides transportation for chemotherapy or radiation visits, free wigs and some prosthesis, and support group information. ACS runs the HOPE Lodge, which provides free housing and transportation for people undergoing treatment in Baltimore City. Look Good… Feel Better is a program designed to help women cope with appearance-related side effects of treatment. Reach to Recovery is a buddy program that provides a newly diagnosed woman with a survivor who has been in a similar situation. Additionally, there is a dietitian on call to help with any nutritional needs and a MSW for appropriate referrals.

Cancer Care
1-800-813-4673
www.cancercare.org
Provides financial assistance for screening services, transportation to appointments, childcare, counseling, teleconferences and other services. 

The Patient Advocate Foundation
1-866-512-3861
700 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Suite 200, Newport News VA 23606
www.panfoundation.org
Provides education, legal counseling, and referrals to cancer patients and survivors concerning managed care, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt crisis matters. The Patient Advocate Foundation also provides co-payment assistance for pharmaceutical products to insured Americans who qualify for their Patient Assistance Program.

Patient Access Network Foundation
PO Box 221858
Charlotte, NC28222
1-866-316-7263
www.patientaccessnetwork.org
Supports the needs of patients that cannot access the treatments they need due to out-of-pocket health care costs.

The Red Devils
1-877-643-0202
www.the-red-devils.org
Provides funding for support services (housecleaning, transportation and meals) to Maryland families.

I need help paying for prescriptions and medications

Health Well Foundation
PO Box 4133
Gaithersburg, MD20878
1-800-675-8416
www.healthwellfoundation.org
Helps individuals afford prescription medications they are taking for specific illnesses.

Linking A.R.M.S.
1-800-813-4673
A collaborative partnership between Cancer Care and the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation that provides financial assistance for women with breast cancer for hormonal and oral chemotherapy, pain and anti-nausea medication, lymphedema supplies and durable medical equipment.

MarylandMEDBANK Program
410-821-9262 
www.medbankmd.org/
Must be low-income and not enrolled in any other prescription plan. All medications are free. Physician must make all referrals.

Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program/Maryland Pharmacy Discount Program
1-800-492-5231
www.dhmh.state.md.us/mma/mpap
Program to help MD residents pay for prescription drugs.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
1-888-477-2669
www.pparx.org
Single point to access more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs.