Raise Funding for Cancer Treatment in India.
Cancer doesn’t pick its target as per any fixed criteria. Whether a person is rich or poor, cancer can trap anyone. As per recent reports, over 17 lakh new cancer cases are diagnosed every year. And the survival rate is close to 50%. Since the treatment unfortunately demand strong financial backing, only 30% of the cancer patients are able to afford the necessary treatment. Due to lack of funds, majority of families fighting cancer loose hopes and usually give up. Very few realize that there are multiple sources through which the funds can be raised for the treatment of patient. For the ease of people and families fighting cancer, here we have put together the list of five ways for raising funds for cancer:
- Medical insurance
For any medical emergency, medical insurance is the best way to deal with immediate expenses. Many of us only go for one insurance policy. However, since we can’t predict the future, having another one with good cancer coverage is always recommended to ease the financial burden. Also, while picking the suitable policy, one is required to take family history of diseases into consideration. For example, if you have a family history of diabetes, you might want to consider a policy that cover the related treatment. Having 2-3 policies in hand can generate up to 12-16 lakhs in the time of need. A policy with good cancer care goes a long way in easing the financial burden.
- Crowd funding
No doubt during the tough times only family and friends help us sail through the situation. With the rise of internet, social media can be leveraged to a great extent, for raising funds for the treatment. Since message can be spread to the entire world, a lot of people from different communities and regions come forward to support the family in need financially. Crowd funding campaigns are very easy to set up, update and can be tracked real-time. Some of the crowd funding organizations in India are – Milaap (https://milaap.org/), Ketto (https://www.ketto.org/), BitGiving (https://www.bitgiving.com/), Impact Guru (https://www.impactguru.com/) and any more.
- Funds from NGOs and private trusts
Various cancer survivor network actively raise funds to help the family of cancer patients financially. There are many well-to-do families of celebrities who have survived cancer and have now set up trusts to help other cancer patients. Few examples of such trusts are – Yuvraj Singh Foundation – You We Can, Nargis Dutt Memorial Trust, Cancer Patients Aid Association etc. Also apart from these foundations, there are NGOs who work towards this cause like First Hand Foundation, The Indian Cancer Society, Yoddhas and First Hand Foundation has been helping a lot of cancer patients fight cancer.
- Funds from the government
Government has designed sponsored schemes for cancer patients. A few of them sponsored by Central Government are Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and Schemes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. State government also runs a couple of schemes for cancer patients and their families. Again, NGOs can facilitate patients with guidance and connect them with local politicians for sanctioning of these funds. Also, apart from this there are hospitals that charges subsidized treatment fees. A help of 1-5 lakhs can be claimed from the government itself. In addition to this a 50% concession can be claimed travel done for the purpose of treatments from the government.
- Medical loans
Personal loans can be raised for medical emergencies, especially for those who doesn’t have any previous arrears and loans pending. This is an option for those who have a regular income but at the same time are not able to extract the money in bulk for the treatment. They can later pay back their loans. The interest rate usually range between 11-35%.
Usually hospital that diagnoses cancer, act as the first hand source of information for redirecting patients and their families to cost-effective hospitals for treatment, possible fund raising organizations, help them connect with crowd funding platforms, and support groups. One can ask his/her doctor for available options and more information. But all said and done, one should never give up hope and should not hesitate for asking help.
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