Apply
for a Patient
Assistance Grant
Patients diagnosed with cancer at a younger age often face greater financial burdens. This is a time in a patient’s life when they are raising a family, starting a career, or have not accumulated savings. For patients 49 and under, the Foundation administers the Bret A. Rosenthal Patient Assistance Fund grant program.
Bret A. Rosenthal Patient Assistance Fund
Criteria:
- Available to patients age 49 and younger
- Patient must be resident of United States
- Diagnosis of mesothelioma must be provided by treating physician
- Annual max award per patient/family $2000
Reimbursable Services (current ongoing expenses):
- Approved integrative medicine (lymphatic massage, massage therapy, reflexology, reiki therapy, acupuncture)
- Fertility storage
- Mental Health Services
- Supplemental medical care not covered by insurance (wheelchair, walkers, medical supplies, oxygen, portable oxygen concentrator)
Caregiver Support
- Long-distance caregiver/family support for the patient (flight, hotel, car)
- Respite services for caregivers
Daily Living while undergoing treatment Meal/grocery assistance - Childcare
Services not reimbursed:
- Travel expenses covered by patient travel grant fund
- Non-evidence based or “alternative treatments”
- Any duplication of services received from any other source
- Insurance co-pays, premiums or deductibles
Please be aware that this list may not cover all potential needs. If you don’t see your need covered, please reach out to the Patient Services Director, Julie White, to discuss if your need would qualify under this grant on a case by case basis.
NOTE: This program operates on a reimbursement basis only. Grant requests must be fully completed and approved with all receipts submitted prior to the reimbursement payment.
How to Submit an Application
- Call (703) 879-3819, email [email protected], or complete the form below to speak with our Patient Services Director.
- If you are eligible, we will email you the link and personal log-in for our grant application website.
- You must submit a completed letter of intent. Further instructions will be found on the application form. If you require assistance filling out the application, please reach out to [email protected] or (703)879-3824.
ABOUT BRET
Bret Rosenthal faced the challenging diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma at a remarkably young age of twenty-three. Despite this daunting reality, he showed incredible strength over the following eight years, striving to lead a fulfilling life despite his illness. Throughout his mesothelioma journey, Bret found vital support and guidance from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, particularly from the dedicated oncology nurse on staff and the fellow patients that he met through support groups.
Prior to his passing, Bret expressed a heartfelt desire to give back to others facing similar struggles. In response to his wish, the Bret A. Rosenthal Patient Assistance Fund was established. This fund serves as a tribute to Bret’s memory and aims to assist other young patients dealing with mesothelioma by providing essential support services, financial aid for comfort assistance, and access to needed resources.
Patients diagnosed at a younger age often face greater financial burdens. This is a time in a patient’s life when they may be at the start of a career, trying to start or raise a family, haven’t accumulated savings, or don’t have access to affordable healthcare – a cancer diagnosis comes with a significant financial burden beyond just medical treatment.
Established in his memory, this fund aims to provide crucial assistance to patients struggling with the financial as well as emotional burdens associated with their diagnosis and treatment. Patients who are navigating mesothelioma treatment while also trying to manage a career, a family, living far away from a support network, or financial burdens without savings to fall back on will have access to this patient fund. Bret’s legacy of helping others and spreading a little magic everywhere he went will live on through this fund.
