Transitioning into your 20s and 30s is difficult; the job market is tough, real estate is expensive and the cost of tuition is at an all time high. Learning how to live on your own is difficult.
Now imagine that you have just finished cancer treatment. You have lost valuable time and savings. You feel like you are years behind everyone else in your age group. To top it off, you are suddenly faced with many expenses you didn’t have to think about during treatment. In addition, you are trying to pay off residual medical bills while acquiring new ones through follow-up tests and check-ups.
When all of these issues collide, how do you find a job, pay for rent and afford school?
After a conference entitled “I’m Too Young for This” opened our eyes, The SAMFund was developed in the spring of 2003 to benefit young cancer survivors. It became apparent that young adult survivors have distinctly different emotional, financial and medical needs than those of adults or children who are currently in treatment.
While wonderful organizations exist for both cancer patients and survivors to provide support, none were solely to provide financial assistance for young adult survivors struggling with their transition into post-treatment life. Frustrated by the lack of support, we sought a way close the gap.
The SAMFund provides grants and scholarships to young adult survivors to help supplement money that was lost during treatment. The grants and scholarships we provide help pay for transitional issues such as education, living, job search and lingering medical expenses. We will partner with existing organizations to provide the best support possible so that these young adults can not only survive, but truly move forward.
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