The direction her largesse would take became apparent when she heard about a 29-year-old woman diagnosed with breast cancer and fired from her job. Sandy met many other women less fortunate than she as well. “They were not only struggling with their diagnosis but worried: how am I going to pay my rent? How am I going to work if I’m sick?
“This is where the need was,” Sandy explained. La Liga Contra el Cancer underwrites treatment for women in need. The Cancer Support Community provides emotional support, exercise, and seminars on all types of cancer. But no one was paying the rent for a single mom too sick to work.
The need for this assistance is enormous. Even if people can cover their expenses under ordinary circumstances, cancer changes the equation. The $50 copayment for a test or $100 copayment for a medication can deplete a family’s resources. According to 2006 research by USA Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health, 25% of families affected by cancer spent at least some of their savings on costs imposed by their illness. One in eight had to borrow money.
Those with health insurance felt the pinch as they incurred heavy copayments, discovered their insurance companies refused pay for some aspects of treatment, and lost income because their illness forced them to cut back on hours or take leaves of absence. In the 2006 study, 20% of those with health insurance used up all or most of their savings, 10% borrowed money from family, and 9% were contacted by a collection agency. For those without insurance the numbers were higher. Fifty percent used all or most of their savings, 40% were unable to pay rent or buy food, 6% filed for bankruptcy. Compared to those with insurance, those without were five times more likely to miss or delay treatment because of their inability to pay.
Thus in 2008 Sandy Muller created the Sandy B. Muller Breast Cancer Foundation to help patients undergoing treatment meet critical expenses such as rent, electricity, transportation to and from medical appointments, and childcare. She spent the first nine months setting up the foundation – obtaining 501 (c) (3) status; filing with the State of Florida; getting a logo, website and brochure designed; having brochure, cards and stationary printed; putting together a board of directors and advisory board. She spent the next year fundraising. As money began to come in, she developed the application process and sought referrals from physicians and organizations that work with breast cancer patients. The Foundation made its first client grant in November 2009.
Applicants for help from the Foundation must be residents of Miami-Dade County. They must currently be undergoing breast cancer treatment and living at or below the $37,148 median income for the County. To verify financial need, applicants submit tax returns and other documents. To verify medical credibility, they submit a physician’s letter stating diagnosis, treatment plan, and dates of treatment. Board vice-president, Linda Marraccini, M.D., reviews all medical documents. Sandy, with her accounting background, reviews the financial documentation and interviews the applicants. Much of the assessment, she says, is subjective and drawn from the interview.
The grants are given after all government and other community resources have been exhausted. While the size and duration of grants vary, they average $400 for three and a half months. The Foundation always pays the bill directly to the payee to ensure that the grant goes where it is intended.
“She [Sandy] really saved me,” said Kimberly, the single mother of two children, 11 and 15. Unable to work since May 2011, when she was first diagnosed, Kimberly obtained Section Eight subsidized housing, food stamps, and Medicaid. Still, she couldn’t cover her phone bill. The Foundation paid for that, permitting Kimberly to stay in touch with her daughters during a lengthy hospital stay and run her household from a hospital bed.
The emotional support she got from Sandy was equally precious. “Once they find out you have cancer, a lot of so-called friends don’t call. They can’t handle it,” Kimberly said. She called the Foundation her “sisterhood,” always there when she was “down and out.”
Other recipients of Foundation assistance agree. “Sandy’s help was more than money. She called me often, asked how am I doing. She helped me a lot,” said Carol, whose husband, Martin, acknowledges that although Carol is a strong woman, the cancer beat her up.
Carol is a homemaker with two young children. Martin designs commercial irrigation systems for a landscape architect. In the face of the recession, his work was cut to 25 hours a week, and he was forced to drop the family’s health insurance. Then Carol was diagnosed with cancer. Her treatment was underwritten, but expenses piled up. While Carol underwent chemotherapy, she was in bed for days and had to hire an after-school caregiver for the children. Costly medications for the side effects of treatment further depleted resources. The family moved to a smaller apartment but still could not afford the rent. The Foundation helped, paying $650 a month for two months.
“I am more than grateful,” said Martin. “It gave me a little peace of mind, room to think.”
Asked what he would have done if the Foundation had not helped him, Martin replied, “Ask for a loan from a friend. I don’t know. Sell water at the intersection.
“Thank God she helped me,” he said, relief palpable in his voice.
Since funding began in November 2009, the Foundation has assisted 60 women with a combined $78,000. The Foundation began fundraising with a launch event at Bloomingdales, which raised $10,000. The Board subsequently established sponsorship relationships other stores, restaurants, and organizations, and they hold frequent fundraising events. In 2011, they were the recipients of a $53,000 gift from the Elekta Corporation. The Foundation budget – comprised 13% from grants, 16% from events, and 71% from individual and corporate donations during the fiscal year the Elekta gift was received -- increases every year. To date they have been able to say yes to every qualified applicant.
A true grassroots venture, the Foundation has a working board, no paid staff, and miniscule overhead. In setting up the organization, Sandy’s husband, an attorney, took care of all legal work. A friend donated graphic artwork. Another friend discounted printing. Sponsors underwrite the special events. Sandy, who does all the administrative work, operates out of a home office. The Board secretary, a CPA, files the organization’s tax return. Other directors donate services as needed.
Sandy B. Muller Breast Cancer Foundation
P.O. Box 565371
Miami, FL 33256
Phone: 305-255-1385
Fax: 305-255-5304
www.sandybmullerbreastcancerfoundation.org
