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Non-Profit Resources

Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)

The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides patient services, eliminating obstacles in access to quality healthcare.  View more information here. (800) 532-5274

  • National Financial Resource Directory – The directory is dedicated to assisting patients in identifying and locating resources (both national and regional) designed to improve access to quality care and decrease the financial burden of medical treatment.
  • Case Management Assistance – A core part of PAF’s program, individualized case management services are available to those facing a chronic, life-threatening or debilitating diagnosis.
  • Co-Pay Relief Program – This self-contained division of PAF offers direct financial assistance to insured patients who meet specific criteria to help pay for prescriptions or treatments needed. This program helps patients afford out-of-pocket costs.
  • Financial Aid Funds– This independent division of PAF provides small grants to patients meeting medical and financial criteria. Multiple grant options are available on a first-come, first served basis and distributed until funds are depleted.

Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA)

An office of volunteer community services that serves as an information clearinghouse on aging issues and resources.

  • Elder Helpline – Provides senior citizens with a broad range of information and referrals. Some areas they assist in are home care, food stamps, housing, transportation, and emergency relief. 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800- 963-5337)
  • Home Delivered Meals – Provide homebound individuals with a hot nutritional meal. SHINE Program – A free insurance counseling program designed to assist elders in sorting out their insurance problems. 1-800-963-5337
  • Transportation – Free or low cost transportation

County Specific

211
Find Help Near You.

Simply call 211 to speak to someone now, or search by location for online resources and more contact information.

Aura of Hope Foundation (407) 680-3485
Offers financial support to both patients and caregivers during bone marrow or hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation in Flagler/Seminole/Volusia County.

Cancer Alliance of Naples (239) 643-HOPE (4673)

Provides financial assistance with rent/mortgage payments, insurance, food, car payments, gas, household utilities and much more. Those applying for assistance must reside in southern  Lee or Collier County.

Cancer Alliance of Health & Hope, Inc. (561) 748-7227

Cancer Alliance of Health & Hope, Inc. is a Palm Beach County not-for-profit organization which eases the burden of qualified local cancer patients by paying a portion of their non-medical bills, supplementing basic needs, and providing support and information resources.

Daystar Life Center (727) 825-0442

Emergency help organization serving serving residents of Pinellas County.  Daystar provides the necessities of life to people in need to alleviate hunger, homelessness, and hopelessness.

Donna Foundation  (877) 236-6626
Provides financial assistance for Breast Cancer patients.

Mission Blue Foundation (321) 303-4784

By combining resources with other organizations and working together, Mission Blue Foundation can provide direct Medical Assistance, Transportation to Treatments, Food and Clothing in the Orange & Volusia County communities to help Cancer Patients in need.

My Breast Friends 941 (941) 807-3357
The Breast Friends 941 mission is to spread the power of hope and support and ease fears at during and beyond breast cancer diagnosis through experience, guidance, and friendship. They provide free direct services of grocery gift cars, housecleaning, rides to treatment, peer support inspiration and more to their clients throughout the 941 area code – Manatee/Sarasota Counties.

Ribbon Riders Breast Cancer Assistance Program  (407) 796-PINK (7465)
Ribbon Riders contributes to help pay for essentials such as, rent/mortgage payments, utility bills, gas to travel to treatments, groceries, monthly insurance premiums, co-pays for medication etc. Those applying for assistance must reside in one of the following counties: Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake or Volusia.

Florida Department of Children and Families, Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency (ACCESS) (850) 300-4323

The ACCESS Florida Program helps to promote strong and economically self-sufficient communities by providing food, cash and medical assistance to individuals and families on the road to economic recovery. Click Here to Apply

  • Adult Health Care – Counties make available a range of basic medical care services and treatments, to decrease unnecessary emergency room visits.
  • Food Stamps – Provide low-income individuals with assistance to purchase nutritional food. Home Health Services – Provide care for people who need nursing care or treatment in their homes, when they are eligible for Medicare or another assistance program.
  • Homelessness – Help for Renters. Individuals and families whose housing situation has become unstable due to the coronavirus public health emergency have options that can assist with staying housed. https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/homelessness/
  • Subsidized Child Care – Provide support for families with young children to enable to caretaker to hold a job, obtain training or meet the special needs of a child.
  • WIC – A supplemental food program for women, infant and children up to the age of 5.
  • Temporary Cash Assistance – Provides financial assistance to pregnant women in their third trimester and families with dependent children to assist in the payment of rent, utilities and other household expenses.

Other Programs

American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345

Offers programs and services to help people with cancer and their loved ones understand cancer, manage their lives through treatment and recovery, and find the emotional support they need.

Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies (201) 977-2400

Agencies provide help for medical equipment, supplies, prescriptions and transportation to medical care.

Cancer Care 1-800-813-HOPE (4673)

Offers a variety of financial assistance programs, call for eligibility requirements.

Cancer Resource Network

Community resources to help individuals find services that will aid them in their personal cancer journey.

Catholic Charities, USA (703) 549-1390

Some local offices have limited funding available to provide emergency financial assistance.

Cleaning For A Reason partners with more than 1,200 maid services to provide free home cleaning to cancer patients.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) offers the following financial assistance programs to help individuals with blood cancer. For a summary of all LLS Patient Financial Assistance Programs, click here. (800)955-4572

Prostate Cancer Foundation

Navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis can be difficult on multiple fronts. We have collected a list of resources to help with the costs of co-payments, treatments, and medications. The resources below are national in scope. You should remember to contact local organizations such as hospitals and support groups; they will have information about additional state and local programs. (800) 757-CURE (2873)

Society of St. Vincent de Paul (314) 576-3993

Help with food, provide clothing and furniture, and helps prevent homelessness by assisting with rent, utility bills, provide transportation, and support in many other ways.

Susan G. Komen 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636)

Komen Florida’s Treatment Assistance Program provides education, psychosocial support, and limited financial assistance to lower-income, un/underinsured individuals in breast cancer treatment.

SPECIAL FUNDS

The Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization as designated by the IRS. The Foundation’s EIN number is 20-4616813. The Foundation is also registered in the State of Florida, Registration No. CH24320. A copy of the official State registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling 800-435-7352 within the State of Florida. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State.

Meet Antonio Azzato, the visionary behind the Las Meninas Sculpture Project. To continue the successful and positive spirit of the Las Meninas project in Madrid, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) and Healing Arts in Medicine are bringing Antonio Azzato’s vision to the United States for the first time.

Azzato was born and raised in Venezuela and has Italian and Spanish roots. He has raised more than 550K euros for different charitable foundations. His experience in the engineering, business, marketing, and interior design fields has given him the technical and artistic training to develop his Meninas Gallery project, which has positioned the silhouette of the Menina as the new icon of the city of Madrid, where he currently resides. Learn more about Antonio here.

The History of "Las Meninas"

Painted by Diego Velázquez in 1656,“Las Meninas” translates to Ladies in Waiting.  Considered a masterpiece depicting life in the court of King Philip IV of Spain, the painting represents a turning point in art history for the way in which Velázquez broke from the stiff formal portraits that typically defined royal subjects.

What is the Las Meninas Sculpture Project?

Inspired by the iconic painting “Las Meninas,” which translates to “Ladies in Waiting,” Spanish artist and sculptor Antonio Azzato created larger than life-size statues, fashioned in the shape of the Ladies in Waiting in the famous painting, that have been displayed in the streets of Madrid every fall since 2018.  The statues are painted by various Spanish artists and celebrities and used to raise money for different charities.  For the project with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), smaller statues that are white, like a blank canvas, will be distributed to 12 designated FCS clinics. Together with local artists, patients will bring their Las Meninas vision to life, giving each statue its own unique theme and color palette.

One World to Heal

Once complete, the Las Meninas sculptures will be on display in local communities, raising awareness of the extreme healing power of art in medicine. After a months-long tour of the state, each will be placed on auction. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation. The Foundation assists cancer patients in need in Florida with essential everyday living expenses.

Contacte a FCSF

"(Requerido)" indicates required fields

¿Qué tipo de tratamiento contra el cáncer está recibiendo?(Requerido)
¿Cuál es el ingreso MENSUAL combinado de su hogar?(Requerido)

After Your Event

Don’t Forget to Thank Everyone for Their Support

 

  • Thank your sponsors, committee members and other special supporters immediately after the event. A hand-written note, phone call or personal email will be greatly appreciated and will encourage supporters to come back next time!

  • Post ‘Thank You’ messages and photos on social media.

  • Mail a check to:
    Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation
    5985 Silver Falls Run, Suite 210
    Bradenton, FL 34211

  • Once we receive your donation, an acknowledgement letter will be sent to you for tax purposes.

 

Thank you for hosting a successful event that helps cancer patients in need!

Use Various Media to Maximize Publicity for Your Event

These publicity tips and tools will help increase exposure for your event through various media, at very little cost. (Media outlets could include local radio, TV and newspapers, community calendars, social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, etc.).

Create a Timeline to Maximize Publicity

A realistic timeline is important in planning a publicity strategy for your event. Keep this timeline in mind as you put together a publicity plan:

3-4 months before the event:
Identify your target audience based on demographics, interests, and location; develop a targeted media list.

4-6 weeks before the event:
Distribute media materials (i.e., media alert, listing on a community calendar, Facebook posts, Instagram, etc.). Be creative in developing the media materials – what makes your fundraiser different? Media outlets receive hundreds of requests to publicize non-profit events; they can’t publicize everyone – so make sure that YOUR EVENT is so special, different and appealing that it will be hard for the media outlet to resist!

2 weeks before the event:
Make follow-up calls and send e-mails to local media who received the information. Re-send information if they have not received it.

1-2 days before the event:
Email and/or fax a media alert with the basic information about your event (who, what, when, where and why) to the TV news assignment desks and photo desks at the daily or weekly newspapers.

Take Lots of Photos

Photos are a great way to document your event, whether for publicity or simply to share with family and friends. Here are some tips on capturing special moments at your fundraiser:
  • Write out a targeted shot list in advance to make sure you get photos of everything and everyone
  • Take candid and close-up shots that capture the different aspects of your fundraiser
  • Capture images of your sponsors
  • Include three to four people in a photo for the best publicity shot
  • If taking photos on your phone, turn your phone in the horizontal position
  • Send photos to Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation for approved use on social media and website (Please make sure you have permission from the individuals in the photo and include their names)

Ideas for Your Fundraiser Event

The following are just a few ideas for your community fundraiser.  We suggest thinking of something you enjoy doing (e.g., book club, cooking, golf, tennis, bingo, music) and working to add a fundraising component into that. This way, you are not starting from scratch and, in addition to giving back to a great cause, you are doing something you love!

FACEBOOK
You can easily raise money on your Facebook page by clicking on “Raise Money” on your post, including a special message of inspiration or in celebration of your birthday or notable anniversary.

BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Do you have an upcoming birthday, anniversary, shower, or bar/bat mitzvah? Consider contributing to FCS Foundation, in lieu of personal gifts – and ask your friends and family to do the same. This is a great way to get the kids involved!

COCKTAIL PARTY
Throw a cocktail party in your home or at a local restaurant or bar. Many venues provide great deals for non-profit events. For example, ask your friends to donate $50 per person to attend — if you spend no more than $20 per person on the food, you will have a good amount left over after expenses to donate. Include a chance drawing or auction to increase revenue.

GARAGE SALE
Ask friends and neighbors to clean out their basement or garage for a good cause. Organize a garage sale, and you’ll clean out your house while supporting cancer patients in need in our community at the same time!

GOLF OUTING OR TOURNAMENT
Whether planning a small golf outing with friends and family or a larger tournament for your business, think about making every stroke really count by partnering with us to give back to the patients at FCS Foundation!

INDEPENDENT BUSINESS GIVES BACK
Are you a local independent business owner, restaurant or retail owner who is looking to align with a great cause? Whether donating a percentage of proceeds for a day, or a week, or simply collecting an ‘extra tip’ for the FCS Foundation, you can make a difference while you work.

SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
Kids love to help!  Have fun with your students teaching them about the meaning of philanthropy, with anything from a read-a-thon to a bake sale. Be creative! We’d love to hear about your school fundraiser ideas and stories.

SELL, SELL, SELL!
Many marketing/promotional item companies offer a lot of discounted items. Create T-shirts, bracelets, key chains, etc., and sell them at a price more than your cost to create revenue.

TRIVIA NIGHT
This is a fun way to raise funds while increasing awareness about pediatric illnesses. Host your trivia night at a restaurant or other local establishment and invite between 10 and 50 of your friends and family.

PURSE BINGO
Hold a bingo night and charge people to play ($20 for 4 cards, $40 for 8 cards, etc.) Instead of cash prizes, the prizes are designer or vintage purses that have been donated. One of the trendiest and easiest events to organize!

Getting Started

Deciding to host a community fundraiser for the FCS Foundation is a huge accomplishment in itself — thank you!


Here are 10 steps to help you get started:

1. Form a planning committee. Bring together a group of enthusiastic, dedicated people, who share a passion and interest in raising money for cancer patients and their families. This will increase the probability of a successful event.

2. Brainstorm. Members of your planning committee can brainstorm ideas for your fundraiser. Let your imagination guide you — and be sure to consider the special talents of committee members and their contacts in the community! The more people who participate in the planning phase, the more committed they’ll be later.

3. Choose the “right” event. The type of event you choose should fit the size, interests, talents, goals, and time availability of your planning committee.

4. Identify your target audience. Consider who is most likely to attend and support the type of event you have selected. Will the event appeal to everyone? families? adults only?

5. Develop a budget. Try to identify all the expenses involved with your event (invitations, postage, rental space, signage, food and catering, promotional materials, website, advertising, etc.) Then think about possible sources of funds, including people and companies you know that may be able to donate products (food, equipment) or services (graphic design, printing, photography) to reduce your costs. This will help keep your costs down, which is something everyone will appreciate.

6. Develop an event timeline. A timeline is important in planning a publicity strategy for your event. Work backwards from the event date – publicity should start four to six weeks prior to the event.

7. Schedule the event. Select a time that is appropriate and convenient for those who will be attending. Be sure to check local community calendars for conflicting events.

8. Open a bank account. You may find that you will need to establish a bank account to accommodate incoming revenue and expenses. This can be done by visiting a local bank and creating a business account under your event’s name.

9. Collect all funds. We ask that all event proceeds designated for the FCS Foundation be forwarded to the Foundation within 30 days following the conclusion of your event.

10. Say thank you! Sending thank-you letters, notes, or e-mails to everyone who participated in or supported your event shows your appreciation and reinforces their goodwill about the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation.
Miguel