THE SAMFund
Rating: 4.93 stars 46 46 reviews 6,462
Address:
89 South Street Suite Ll02 Boston MA 02111 USA
Mission:
The SAMFund supports young adult cancer survivors in the United States as they recover from the financial impact of cancer treatment. Through direct financial assistance, in-person and online support, The SAMFund helps young adults move forward towards their personal, professional, and educational goals from a position of knowledge and strength.
Results:
To date, we have awarded a total of $900,000 in grants and scholarships to hundreds of individuals across the country. We have delivered multiple free Webinars for young adult survivors through our "Moving Forward With Your Finanical Health," Webinar series archived and available on our website.
Target demographics:
Young adult cancer survivors between the ages of 17 and 35 who are finished with active treatment and residents of the United States.
Direct beneficiaries per year:
100+
Geographic areas served:
United States
Programs:
We provide free Webinars on young adult survivor financial issues and grants for living expenses that cover a wide range of post-treatment financial needs, including (but not limited to): current and residual medical bills, car and health insurance premiums, rent, utilities, tuition and loans, family-building expenses, gym memberships and transportation costs.
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Reviews for THE SAMFund
This organization is honest and caring. There's always someone to answer questions and concerns. Comes highly recommended as a resource not only for young adults with cancer but for survivors and caregivers as well. Great networking site for cancer patients and survivors.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Some
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
The best day of my life was the day I became cancer-free. The second best day of my life was the day I received the call from The SAMFund telling me that I was going to be given a grant. As a survivor, it was traumatizing enough going through cancer treatment at such a young age. It was almost just as bad going through the financial trauma immediately following. It's like you survive the hardest thing you've ever gone through, and when you're done, you're not. You still have to learn to figure out a way to survive after the financial toll of cancer. My grant enabled me in ways that I can not even put into words. My grant helped with my balance I held at my oncology center where I was still going to regularly for post-treatment checkups. The balance was so high that I would nearly get turned away because I wasn't able to make the large payments. The SAMFund got me a laptop for school. I was just about to graduate when I was diagnosed, and it really took a toll on me. That laptop was a tool that I desperately needed to complete my portfolio and graduate in the degree that I am so passionate about. The SAMFund granted me a gym membership to help build my strength up following chemo and radiation. This is just a small glimpse as to how I have been helped by The SAMFund. They really gave me insight on survivorship, and enabled me to become the person I am today. I have been able to look back at my experience and see the silver lining within my diagnosis. The silver lining for me was The SAMFund. They will be forever remembered in my and my family's hearts, and I am so proud to call myself a survivor and SAMFund Alum.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Don't ask how you can help (rank things in order of need). Then decide to give something not on the list just to say you gave it. Very disappointed.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
None
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Unlikely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Somewhat badly
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
I am so proud of my daughter Samantha Eisenstein Watson for so many reasons. She created the SAMFund because as she recovered from two battles against cancer she saw a void and tried to do something about it. She understood as only a young adult cancer survivor could what was needed to help other survivors overcome the transition back to "normal life" after a successful battle against cancer. Nearly ten years later a smile still comes to her face each and every time we are able to tell a young man or woman, "yes we can help you..." Glenn Eisenstein
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
The SAMFund is helping me achieve my goals, not only in the short-term but for many years to come. Their scholarship has enabled me to focus much more on my academics than worry about my health insurance and fertility bills. I can’t thank the SAMFund enough for all their help!
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I’ve seen the results of this organization first hand. My education has been impacted greatly by the SAMFund.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Ways to make it better...
Could not have been better.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
One thing I'd also say is that...
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-2-01
12 people found this review helpful
The SAMFund is an amazing organization because it fills a void in the world of cancer needs. There are many organizations that cater to the emotional and physical issues that surround cancer, and many that fund research to find new cures, but the SAMFund is the only one that I know of that provides financial support for young adult cancer survivors, a population that experiences the effects of cancer in a different way than other age groups. It's hard enough to find one's place in the world but when cancer is added to the mix that task becomes even harder. I have seen a couple close friends and relatives fall behind in their careers and graduate schooling which were only just starting when they became ill. Though they were fortunate to survive their cancer experience, the debt they incurred because of it was a burden. The SAMFund helped them pay off loans and debts which would otherwise have continued to mount. It is an incredibly important organization that more people need to know about.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the lives of those close to me.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
do nothing different.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the benefits it has provided to my close friends and others.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Incredibly kind and generous, understanding patient and enthusiastic.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help more people!
Ways to make it better...
nothing! SAMFund is incredible.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
The economy.
One thing I'd also say is that...
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-1-01
14 people found this review helpful
As a former staff member for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and a friend to several young adult cancer survivors, I have been fortunate to know about the SAMFund since its inception. There are a great deal of reasons I'm inspired by this organization, not the least of which is its ability to provide resources for those things which are just not covered by regular insurance. Those of us who have never experienced the trials and tribulations of cancer (or the costs associated with the treatment of it) cannot fully comprehend the importance of a gym membership to stay healthy. Or a laptop to help get back on track after missing months or years of school. Or, having depleted our savings for life-saving care, not having enough money for a deposit on an apartment of our own in order to start living LIFE again. The SAMFund looks at young adult survivors and sees potential. Potential to make great lives for themselves. Potential to be great parents. Potential to be great co-workers. And potential to change the world, one small step at a time. But, more importantly, the SAMFund realizes that in order to fulfill ones potential, sometimes the very basic necessities need to be met. Filling the void between relying on your parents and receiving reimbursement from your insurance company - the SAMFund finds a way to give people the support to allow them to be like everyone else. And not be constantly struggling to take the next step to independence because cancer threw an early obstacle in their way. I am proud to be part of the SAMFund because I've seen, first-hand, how financial support can be the difference between going back to school and working in a low-paying job; can be the difference between living with your parents at age 30 and finally becoming an independent adult; and can be the difference between moving on with one's life rather than always fighting a battle because of cancer.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the many lives that have been changed and enhanced by SAMFund grants. The recipients words of thanks are the most important to hear.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not do one thing differently - the organization is committed to moving forward. And it has grown at a steady and manageable pace so as to sustain itself, not burn out.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
hearing the inspiring stories of the grant recipients. They are strong in spirit and provide a much needed reminder of how precious every day really is.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
absolutely amazing. Each and everyone is dedicated to the mission and to making a difference. They are selfless and giving.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
make an even greater impact in the lives of even more applicants.
Ways to make it better...
we had even more funds to both promote the organization AND to give away!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
public relations. They serve the national community and therefore deal with different demographics, regions, and markets. There is no one single strategy that will work everywhere and they need more national coverage to recognize their great achievements!
One thing I'd also say is that...
with the resources available, the SAMFund has achieved great success.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-7-01
12 people found this review helpful
The SAMFund is an awesome organization that assists young adults with expenses after cancer. I've never heard of another organization doing this. Beating cancer is only half the battle. Survivors must deal with huge bills after treatment. This economy is tough on every young adult, and with the additional burden of cancer, it can seem almost impossible for young survivors. The SAMFund gives them hope! By paying for something as simple as a gym membership, The SAMFund makes these survivor’s lives so much easier. After beating cancer, the last issue on your mind should be ridiculous bills. The SAMFund not only provides grants and scholarships, but also has events for survivors to get together and have fun. It's such a unique organization and I truly wish it could fund all of the applications.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Lifestyles magazine, the recipients' stories
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I don't know how I could do it. i'd give money to everyone.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Reading all of the applications. The stories are amazing. These survivors have been through so much.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Amazing. Sam does a great job running The SAMFund.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Give huge grants to deserving people.
Ways to make it better...
We had a billion dollars and gave money to everyone!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Money, money, money...It's unfortunate that the economic climate is so bad. There are so many applications but not enough money!
One thing I'd also say is that...
The running expenses are very low. By donating to The SAMFund, one should know that pretty much all of their money is going to young adult survivors. I think that's amazing and very different from some of the bigger organizations.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-6-01
1 person found this review helpful
I am a 6-year cancer survivor of Hodgkins Lymphoma and a recipient of a grant from the SamFund. Receiving a grant from the SamFund has enabled me to move forward in my life because it alleviated some unexpected and huge financial burdens I had come up in the past year. The SamFund has helped so many cancer survivors with similar issues and truly provides a unique and necessary service for us to be able to live our new, normal lives.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
receiving the help I needed to move forward as an adult.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-1-01
1 person found this review helpful
I was a 2008 recipient of the SamFund. I will forever be grateful not only to them but the many donors that help make what SamFund does happen. I am a single mother of three and was struggling with supporting my family and fighting for my life and realizing that there is a fine line between the fight for life and the right to survive. With all the endless procedures, and surgeries which lead to co-pays and prescriptions and time off work your finances deplete and your stuck with decisions such as, “Do I take this treatment or do I pay the electricity or rent?”, “ Do I fill my prescription or do I buy groceries?”. It’s absolutely horrible to be faced with that and SamFund knows that this is what we struggle with on a daily basis even after the cancer is gone. I am applying again this year in hopes that with the financial help I can start up a business that will in turn allow me to be a donor and an even bigger supporter of an organization that was there for me when I needed them the most.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my life and the lives of my family. SamFund covered our rent for a few months while we tried to regain some stability back.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Do just as they are.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Knowing that there are people out there who understand the aftermath. That its not just about surviving the disease.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
I didnt actually meet anyone but was in close contact with them via email throughout the whole process. They were very kind and supportive.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help so many others.
Ways to make it better...
I could be a donor too.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Spreading the word and attracting more donors.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I Love you SamFund and all that you do!!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008-1-01
