Helping Hands

Facing a breast cancer diagnosis introduces a complex set of challenges—not only physically and emotionally, but often financially as well. New England Breast Cancer Alliance (NEBCA) understands that everyday costs surrounding care can quickly add up, creating unintended stress during treatment, recovery, and beyond.

Through NEBCA’s Helping Hands Program, survivors can apply to receive a gift card to help ease the burden of out-of-pocket expenses incurred over the past 12 months, with the goal of spreading a little joy while lending support to survivors and their families.

 

Program Highlights:

Through gift card assistance for essentials such as groceries, transportation, clothing, family and personal needs, Helping Hands helps ease some of the unexpected costs that can make an already difficult time even harder.

• Gift Card Categories:

  • Groceries & household essentials

  • Gas & transportation

  • Clothing & shoes

  • Children & family needs

  • Pharmacy & personal care

  • Breast cancer/recovery-related needs

  • Meals

  • Family experience/wellness

  • Breast Cancer-Related Items: Compression sleeves, specialized bra, etc. 

  • Lymphedema Products and Accessories

  • Other — tell us what would be most helpful

• Gift Card options include but not limited to: Hannaford, Walmart, Amazon, Walgreens

• Award Amount: Up to $500 per eligible applicant (limit one award per 12-month period)

 

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a breast cancer survivor residing in a New England state (NH, ME, CT, VT, MA, or RI).

• Must have incurred out-of-pocket expenses related to breast cancer (treatment, co-pays, medication, etc.) over the past 12 months.

• Provide supporting documentation of diagnosis or breast cancer related expenses (such as a note on official doctor's letterhead, invoice, receipt, etc.).

 

Application Cycles Applications open quarterly (limit one award per 12-month period per person):

• Cycle 1: October 1 – December 31

• Cycle 2: January 1 – March 31

• Cycle 3: April 1 – June 30

• Cycle 4: July 1 – September 30

 

How to Apply: Applicants must submit a completed application form (Above), a brief description of need, and supporting documentation of diagnosis or breast cancer related expenses (such as a note on official doctor's letterhead, invoice, receipt, etc.).

 

Important Information

• All applications undergo a confidential review within 10 business days following the close of the application period.

• Approved recipients will be notified by email.

• Gift cards will be mailed via USPS to the recipient's home address listed on the application.

 

Please Note: This program provides gift cards directly to survivors as a "helping hand." NEBCA does not provide cash, check reimbursements, or direct payments to medical providers. Submitting an application does not guarantee funding; awards are granted based on eligibility and available funds. The New England Breast Cancer Alliance Board reserves the right to allocate funds at its discretion. Gift cards are distributed quarterly based on funding levels and matrix evaluations.

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For questions, please contact New England Breast Cancer Alliance team at info@newenglandbreastcanceralliance.org.