Rocky Mountain Cancer Assistance

Background Statement

In 1999, a group of doctors and other caring individuals associated with the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers discovered that doctors were often using personal funds to help patients meet their financial needs. They decided to create a foundation that would have the mission of providing financial assistance for basic living necessities such as housing, food, and utilities. The Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers Foundation was formed and began providing financial assistance in 2000. In May 2011, the organization's name was changed to Rocky Mountain Cancer Assistance.

RMCA is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Assistance is provided to any adult cancer patient receiving treatment in Colorado that meets the Foundation's treatment and income guidelines. People served by RMCA are 18 years old and older.

RMCA's Financial Assistance program is accomplished through the efforts of dedicated volunteers and one full-time staff member. The Board of Directors is made up of volunteers, several of whom are cancer survivors and all have been affected by cancer in some way. Eighty six percent of the Foundation's revenue is used for direct client support through the Financial Assistance program.

Financial Assistance Program

Through the Financial Assistance program, RMCA strives to improve the quality of life for cancer patients by providing support and care with dignity. Support from RMCA provides a designated amount of money for daily living expenses such as housing, utilities, food, transportation, and other immediate needs not covered by insurance.

Working with a social worker, patient navigator, or health care professional, cancer patients complete a financial statement of need for submission to RMCA. To qualify, a patient must be receiving a cancer-fighting treatment in Colorado and have a total household income at or below 60 percent of the Colorado median income adjusted for the number of family members in the household. Upon approval, assistance checks are made payable to the provider or vendor as designated by the applicant.

RMCA has never denied an application due to lack of funds; 100 percent of qualified applicants demonstrating a dire financial circumstance have received assistance.

Since its creation in 1999, RMCA has assisted more than 6,800 cancer patients with over $3.8 million in financial support for their basic living needs. Assistance is open to qualified cancer patients regardless of where treatment is received in Colorado.