Low-income cancer patients in Maricopa County will have increased access to comprehensive cancer care, including essential mental health support, thanks to a $25,000 grant Thunderbirds Charities awarded to Cancer Support Community Arizona (CSCAZ), a Phoenix-based nonprofit that delivers free support services, programming, and resources to cancer patients, their families, and caregivers across the state. The Thunderbirds Charities grant supports CSCAZ’s Cancer Resource Navigator Program, created to address cancer disparities and improve health equity.

“While well-insured cancer patients typically receive continuous, state-of-the-art medical treatment, this is often not the case for uninsured and underinsured patients, said Annet Ruiter, Interim CEO and Chief Mission Officer of CSCAZ. Barriers often prevent low-income patients from accessing physical and mental health care. As a result, the outcomes for treatable cancers are too often fatal, and this is in direct relationship to patients’ income level and insurance status.”

CSCAZ’s Cancer Resource Navigator program provides low-income clients with advocacy, resource navigation, and a Direct Assistance Fund to support crucial expenses beyond a family’s financial means. As part of the program, bilingual, hospital-embedded Cancer Resource Navigators work closely with two Phoenix hospitals most often serving this vulnerable population to ensure low-income patients’ and families’ mental and physical health needs are met in a culturally appropriate manner.

Cancer Support Community Arizona (CSCAZ)

This grant is part of the Spring 2023 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.