Many years in the making, so proud to have launched of the GIFTT study in partnership with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation Institute for Health Equity! Through this research, we're addressing financial toxicity by providing direct cash assistance to low-income cancer patients in Philadelphia for a year. By reducing the economic burden for these patients, we're aiming to improve their health outcomes. So what exactly is financial toxicity in cancer care? In part, it's the brutal reality of choosing between paying for chemo or putting food on the table for your family. It's the heartbreaking decision of foregoing treatment to pay for rent. It's maxing out credit cards for medication. It's draining your life savings for surgery. It's skipping necessary prescriptions to afford basic utilities. It's delaying care because you can't cover the copay. It's borrowing money from friends and family just to survive. It's being forced into bankruptcy while fighting for your life. In other words, it's the relentless financial strain that compounds the already immense stress of battling cancer. Many, many thanks to the brilliant Meredith Doherty, PhD, LCSW and the School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania for leading this groundbreaking study, and to Heather Major, Margot Sklar Morris & the Independence Blue Cross Foundation Institute for Health Equity for the substantial grant award to make this work possible. #OneFamilyFoundation https://lnkd.in/eTzEipWH
Congrats to you and your team for spearheading this important work!
Kudos Anneliese and #OneFamilyFoundation
Founding Executive Director at Center for High Impact Philanthropy, University of Pennsylvania
3wCongrats and well done, Anneliese Barron and Meredith Doherty, PhD, LCSW! Such important work you’re engaged in.