Since 1998, the Hirshberg Foundation has partnered with CancerCare to help families navigate the financial and emotional challenges that follow a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. With your generosity, we provide bi-annual grants that fund one-time financial assistance for low-income patients, alongside CancerCare’s free counseling, education, and case management. We are pleased to share year-end results and announce that our grant has been renewed for the first half of 2026.
Why Financial Support Is Critical at the Right Time
The cost of care for pancreatic cancer patients extends far beyond hospital bills. Even with insurance, patients face daily expenses that quickly become overwhelming: transportation to treatment, co-pays, home care, childcare, nutritional support, and basic household needs. For many families, these are not optional costs. They are the difference between continuing treatment or falling behind.
Research shows that individuals with lower incomes face significantly greater financial hardship, and patients with cancer are 71% more likely to experience serious financial strain within two years of diagnosis, sometimes forcing impossible choices between daily needs and staying on track with care.
Recent CancerCare Program data shows just how essential this support is. Between July and December 2025, 61 low-income pancreatic cancer patients received financial assistance, with nearly half of all grants covering co-pays, supporting basic transportation to treatment, home care, and critical imaging. These are not abstract expenses. They are the practical realities patients face every day. And for many, even a modest grant can mean the difference between missing an appointment and staying on track with care.
Real Lives, Real Impact
Behind every grant is a person navigating one of the most difficult experiences of their life. With your support, these patients are not facing it alone.
James, 70 — Connecticut
Living with Stage IV pancreatic cancer, James is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation while managing financial strain. With limited family support, he relies on his faith, church, and community. Assistance from CancerCare helped cover essential needs like food and transportation, while connecting him to additional resources that continue to support his care.
Denise, 65 — Illinois
Recently diagnosed and undergoing chemotherapy and wound care, Denise is balancing her treatment alongside other health challenges. With the support of her family, she continues to stay positive. A financial assistance grant helped cover the cost of an MRI, easing immediate financial pressure and allowing her to focus on her care.
Michael, 57 — Ohio
Undergoing immunotherapy and managing difficult side effects, Michael is also navigating emotional challenges and isolation. Financial assistance helped cover insurance premiums, allowing his family to redirect limited resources toward other essential needs.
David, 65 — Kentucky
Recently diagnosed and experiencing significant treatment side effects, David faces gaps in insurance coverage and rising household costs. Support from CancerCare helped cover treatment expenses and even basic needs like pet food, providing stability during a time of uncertainty.
*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.
2025 Year-End Program Updates
The CancerCare program continues to reach patients across the country, providing meaningful support where it is needed most.The latest program data reinforces what we see every day: Insurance alone is often not enough. Financial toxicity is a real and growing challenge, and programs like this ensure that patients are not forced to navigate it alone.
During the second half of 2025:
Looking Ahead: Continued Support, Lasting Impact
Thanks to the generosity of our donor community, the Hirshberg Foundation continues to fund this vital partnership with CancerCare, ensuring that patients facing pancreatic cancer have access to immediate, compassionate support when they need it most. If you would like to make this lifeline possible for more families, we invite you to donate today.
If you or someone you love needs assistance, please contact CancerCare to learn about eligibility and available services.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute: Cancer Care Costs and Economic Burden in the United States
- National Cancer Institute: Financial Burden of Cancer Care (Annual Report to the Nation, 2021)
- NIHCM Foundation: Insights on Cancer Costs and Financial Hardship
