In early 2005, the Cancer Support Foundation, Inc. (CSFI), a 501(c)(3) organization, recognized that a significant gap existed in quality-of-life services and financial support for a large number of cancer patients undergoing treatment. Lengthy treatment periods, sometimes lasting up to a year, cause many clients to exhaust all available financial help, including their incomes, savings, and family support. Meetings with the American Cancer Society and other stakeholders helped CSFI identify key unmet needs and we launched a range of financial, emotional, and referral services to help address them. We assist anyone with cancer who needs help across the State of Maryland.
CSFI is a volunteer organization with very low overhead expenses. A close relationship with the American Cancer Society (which refers all Maryland callers in financial need to us), and our ties with religious organizations, hospitals, treatment centers, government agencies, and others, along with continual community outreach across the State, ensure our continued growth, stability, and viability.
In July of 2008, CSFI launched its Lifeline to Recovery "Gift Bags" project in Howard County. This new initiative not only enables clients to find help as they learn about CSFI and other services in a confidential way, but it also raises CSFI's visibility throughout the State. Our Gift Bags are given out free of charge at cancer treatment sites. The Bags contain information about services to help patients handle their quality-of-life and financial challenges along with useful and special items. Examples of items contained in a Gift Bag are:
- Chocolate Candy Bar
- Breakfast bar or protein bar
- Hand cream
- Shower gel
- Sport-type water bottle
- Chewing gum
- Coupons for services and food
- Other fun items
Gift Bag distributions are scheduled to begin in April 2009 for Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford, Carroll and Frederick Counties.