Foundations to Help Families With Children With Medical Conditions

No matter what type of medical condition your child has, there likely is a charitable organization available to help. One of the best places to begin your search is your local hospital's social services office. They will have information about foundations and other options in your local area. There are also many national foundations that can help with everything from education to help paying for medications.

Considerations

• Charitable foundations exist to help individuals and families manage their illness while also helping with financial needs of daily living. No matter what your need is, there is help available. You may choose to base your search on the type of illness your child has. Ask the health-care provider treating your child for organization suggestions. There are organizations that deal with specific disease entities and can help you find options to meet the needs of an individual or family facing the same type of issues. Large entities such as the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association are an example of two disease-specific organizations.

Disabled Childrens Relief Fund

• DCRF is an non-profit organization that provides assistance to children who need to use a wheelchair, orthopedic braces, walkers, lifts, hearing aids, eyeglasses, different types of medical equipment -- such as suction equipment or stoma bags -- physical therapy and sugery. Their goal is to help children and families who may be uninsured or underinsured throughout the United States. If your child suffers from a disease that leaves him physically challenged, DCRF may be able to help. Their website address is listed in Resources.

Foundation for Health Coverage Education

• If you are under- or uninsured or if your present health insurance coverage is not adequate, the FHCE may be able to help. This foundation helps individuals find programs that can help them meet the needs of your family. They can help you find free and low-cost health coverage options based on the laws enacted in the health-care reform legislation. Their website address is available in the Resources section.

Ped-Onc Resource Center

• The Ped-Onc Resource Center is an online destination that provides the names and addresses of many of the government and private foundations and programs available to help families of children suffering with cancer. These organizations can help with everything from your overdue electric bill to co-payments, lodging during treatments, travel costs, meals for your family and access to pharmaceutical programs that provide discounted or free medications. Their Web address in provided in the References section.