How Financial Assistance Helps Blood Cancer Patients Focus on Healing

Educational note: This article discusses external resources for informational purposes. LLBF's Comfort Fund program focuses on approved non-medical assistance paid on behalf of patients through partner hospital care teams. LLBF does not replace insurance coverage or routinely pay medical claims or cost-sharing obligations.

A blood cancer diagnosis changes everything in an instant. Beyond the emotional toll, patients and their families are suddenly confronted with a mountain of unexpected non-medical expenses that don't stop just because treatment has started.

The Hidden Financial Burden of Cancer Treatment

While medical costs receive most of the attention, the hidden expenses of cancer treatment often catch families off guard. When a patient is undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or a stem cell transplant, they frequently cannot work. Meanwhile, bills continue to pile up: rent, mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, and transportation to and from treatment centers.

According to the American Cancer Society, cancer patients are 2.5 times more likely to file for bankruptcy than people without cancer. The financial toxicity of treatment can be just as devastating as the disease itself.

For blood cancer patients specifically, treatment timelines are often long and unpredictable. Leukemia patients may spend weeks or even months in the hospital for intensive chemotherapy. Lymphoma treatment can span six months or more. During this time, lost income compounds with rising expenses to create a financial crisis.

How the Live Like Brent Foundation Helps

The Live Like Brent Foundation was created to address exactly this gap. Through our Comfort Funds program, we help blood cancer patients overcome non-medical barriers to treatment by paying approved expenses directly to verified vendors on behalf of patients — the kinds of bills that keep patients up at night when they should be resting and recovering.

Rent and mortgage payments to prevent patients from losing their homes during treatment
Utility bills including electricity, gas, water, and phone service
Transportation assistance for getting to and from treatment appointments
Grocery and meal support for patients and their families
Personal items and comfort necessities during hospital stays
Other hospital-approved non-medical needs that disrupt treatment stability

Real Impact, Real Numbers

Since our founding, we have funded over 1,900 individual approved expenses on behalf of blood cancer patients across 11 partner hospitals. Every dollar supports approved non-medical needs paid directly to verified vendors so patients can focus on their treatment and recovery.

“When I was diagnosed with leukemia, I didn't know how I was going to pay my rent while going through chemo. The Live Like Brent Foundation stepped in and took that weight off my shoulders. I could finally just focus on getting better.”
— LLBF Comfort Fund Recipient

Why Financial Support Matters for Recovery

Research consistently shows that financial stress negatively impacts health outcomes. Patients who are worried about paying their bills are more likely to skip medications, miss appointments, and experience higher levels of anxiety and depression — all of which can interfere with treatment effectiveness.

By removing financial barriers, organizations like the Live Like Brent Foundation don't just help patients keep the lights on. We help create the conditions for healing. When a patient knows their rent is covered and their family won't go hungry, they can direct all of their energy toward fighting their disease.

How You Can Help

Every contribution to the Live Like Brent Foundation goes directly toward supporting blood cancer patients in need. Whether you donate, volunteer, or help spread the word, you become part of a community that believes nobody should fight cancer alone.

Visit our Comfort Funds page to learn more about how we help, or make a donation today to directly support a blood cancer patient in need. Together, we can ensure that financial hardship never stands between a patient and their recovery.