When someone hears the word “cancer,” they usually think of the physical toll—doctor visits, chemotherapy, radiation, fatigue. But at the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF), we see another, quieter battle unfold every day. Cancer affects more than just the body. It shakes a person’s sense of safety, stability, and peace of mind.
Behind every diagnosis is a ripple effect that touches families emotionally, mentally, and financially. A parent wonders how they’ll keep the lights on while missing work for treatment. A patient lies awake at night, not just because of side effects, but because they’re worried about rent. This isn’t just stress, it’s financial toxicity. And it can be devastating.
Financial toxicity creates a second crisis on top of the diagnosis. It forces people to ask heartbreaking questions: How will I afford this? Will I have to choose between treatment and keeping my home? These fears are real. One in three cancer patients experiences mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Three-quarters report being overwhelmed by medical bills. And studies show that financial stress can lead to skipped treatments and poorer outcomes.
At JAF, we believe that when you help someone feel secure and give them room to breathe, you also help them heal. That is why our programs are built to reduce the everyday stress that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
How JAF Helps Ease the Emotional Burden:
- We help cover essential household expenses—like rent, mortgage, utilities, and gas—so patients can stop worrying about whether they can afford to live while they are trying to survive.
- We provide relief during the most critical treatment periods, when missed work and lost income pile on. Our support helps families stay financially stable, allowing them to remain emotionally grounded.
- We offer more than financial help—we offer a message of hope. When a grant from JAF arrives, it tells a patient, ‘You are not alone.’ That connection can lift spirits and lighten the emotional load in powerful ways.
- We fight financial toxicity head-on because we know the damage it causes. By stepping in early and easing that pressure, we help patients focus on their treatment and protect their mental health, often improving physical outcomes as well.
This May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re reminding everyone that treating cancer means treating the whole person. Mental health is health. With the help of our generous supporters, JAF continues to be a source of hope, relief, and strength for families facing the unimaginable because no one should have to choose between getting better and staying afloat.