Cancer patients dealing with their diagnosis during the coronavirus pandemic can get help paying for their treatments through Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta, the organizations announced in a news release.
The organization will provide financial assistance to metro Atlanta area patients through their Komen Atlanta Treatment Assistance Program (ATAP).
“The program will provide support to overcome barriers that may prevent breast cancer patients from accessing the care they need at this time,” Komen Atlanta CEO Cati Diamond Stone said in a statement, calling the coronavirus an “unprecedented health crises.
As of Wednesday evening, Georgia has more than 1,300 coronavirus cases and 47 deaths tied to the virus.
RELATED COVERAGE: 7 more coronavirus deaths confirmed in Georgia; case total rises to 1,387
The assistance program covers costs associated with breast cancer treatment such as pain medication, transportation, child and elder care, and home care.
Breast cancer patients must have incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty line, which is $31,225 for an individual, and have an active breast cancer diagnosis.
“No one should push aside their treatment plan or forego appointments in fear of financial hardship,” Stone said.
Stone also urged healthy women with an average risk to delay their routine breast cancer screenings to later this year to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. The suggestion is also in line with the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control’s guidelines to minimize the spread.
Patients can get more information about the treatment assistance by emailing helpline@komen.org or by calling the Susan G. Komen Breast Care Helpline Monday at 1-877-465-6636. Callers can press #2 for the Breast Care Helpline.
In other news:
About the Author
