Email us at:

mail@ffpprobono.org

Helping People with Cancer

Why Pro Bono for Cancer?

Studies show that individuals with cancer often face “financial toxicity,” manifested by a mix of severe economic stress, depression and anxiety that can worsen the underlying health condition. Even with private health insurance or coverage through Medicare or Medicaid, families are at substantial risk of financial catastrophe. These families experience not only a major increase in daily expenses, but often a significant loss of income due to patients’ and their caregivers’ inability to maintain full-time work. We believe that financial planning can help.

Research shows that financial issues are the second most frequent source of distress identified by cancer patients.

37% cut back on groceries

36% deplete their savings

24% borrow against their retirements

86% of cancer survivors reporting serious financial burden had health insurance

Cancer patients are 2.65 times more likely to go bankrupt than people without cancer

Those experiencing bankruptcy are 80% more likely to die from any cause than others with cancer

How We Are Helping

By donating to FFP, you are helping expand our pro bono efforts for families affected by a serious cancer diagnosis. Over the next several years, FFP will continue to award strategic grants focused on addressing the financial toxicity of cancer. Our goal is to test, refine and grow outstanding program models so that this work can be replicated and scaled, eventually helping thousands of families across the country.

Funding for our Cancer Program will help cover:

  • Grants to great nonprofits administering pro bono financial planning programs for cancer patients.
  • The recruitment of Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professionals to provide their services, pro bono, to patients and their families, helping them plan for anticipated expenses, loss of income and more.
  • A specialized online training program to educate volunteer financial planners on the unique financial and other challenges faced by cancer patients.
  • Research and evaluation activities that will measure the impact of pro bono financial planning on the lives and financial health of families, enabling us and our partners to finetune programs for maximum effectiveness.
  • Ongoing programmatic support of the various FFP-funded programs around the country.
Donate Now

Current Grantees

Family Reach

Family Reach,  in partnership with FFP and the FPA, developed the Financial Planning for Cancer Program which pairs cancer patients and their families with pro bono financial planners to help them manage cash flow and debt during cancer treatment. This program leverages a digital hub that matches CFP® professionals with patients and caregivers to ensure consistent professional standards, and an eLearning program that ensures CFP® professionals are equipped to provide families facing cancer with the best support possible. For an update on the impact FFP and Family Reach are making through the Financial Planning for Cancer Program, see Family Reach’s 2021 Annual Report.

Angel Foundation

Angel Foundation is working with FFP to pilot the Financial Cancer Care program to disrupt Cancer-related financial toxicity in the Twin Cities, MN area. A financial navigator, along with CFP® professionals, will conduct financial risk assessments and develop individual financial plans for cancer patients. Prior to being matched with a CFP® professional, patients will participate in a financial and health literacy training session which will educate them about insurance benefits, interpreting medical bills, and estimating out of pocket costs.

Our Impact

Kevin’s Story

Volunteer Financial Planner
“Volunteering has inspired, energized, and fulfilled me. I’m so grateful to FFP for the opportunity to meet the clients I work with and to have a meaningful impact on their lives.”
Learn More

Lynn’s Story

Pro Bono Client
“Meeting with the CFP® volunteer and having all of my ducks in a row financially has really helped me to remain calm and relaxed."
Learn More

The Mang Family’s Story

Pro Bono Client
"Family Reach was a critical resource to us during this challenging time. Our financial coaching session was invaluable."
Learn More

Raven’s Story

Pro Bono Client
"My finances are kind of limited, but with what I have, [Robert and Family Reach] really helped me get things in order to set me up for success."
Learn More

Serenity’s Story

Pro Bono Client
"Having someone tell me that taking money out of a retirement account is an option, that people do this and it is ok … that took a load of the stress off. Now I am more hopeful than scared."
Learn More

Felix’s Story

Volunteer Financial Planner
"Even if my guidance can take just a few things off their checklist during treatment, I’m happy to be able to help them."
Learn More

Yusuf’s Story

Volunteer Financial Planner
“Doing pro bono work gives you perspective on what really matters … it’s a gift.”
Learn More

Pamela’s Story

Pro Bono Client
“Everything I’ve learned, I’ll keep it dear to my heart. I’ll keep my finances going, save money, and keep the will up to date.”
Learn More

The Young Family’s Story

Pro Bono Client
"It relieves a lot of anxiety knowing if we get in an unexpected financial bind, we have someone in our corner who offers feasible, practical, and tangible ways to take action."
Learn More

Garrett’s Story

Volunteer Financial Planner
“That’s the most important thing, to listen, put together a plan, and get the client started on making the situation better.”
Learn More

Yi & Matt’s Story

Pro Bono Client
"For me, it’s a huge peace of mind because my big concern is that Yi’s taken care of if I’m not here."
Learn More

The Hicks Family’s Story

Pro Bono Client
“It's hard to ask folks for help when it appears to most people that we're past all of our trouble. Lilli is healthy. We have jobs. We have insurance. In spite of all this, we will be paying off debts for years to come.”
Learn More

The McGarry Family’s Story

Pro Bono Client
"For the first 6 months after Tracy was diagnosed, we were fighting from day to day."
Learn More

The Longo Family’s Story

Pro Bono Client
“We didn’t know anything about cancer. We didn’t know what was to come. We didn’t ask for help.”
Learn More

Related News