The Culler Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to patients battling cancer. Since its inception in 2005, the Foundation has helped thousands of cancer patients and their families by alleviating the financial distress associated with a cancer diagnosis.
Overview of the Culler Foundation
The Culler Foundation was established in 2005 by Brad and Amy Culler, after losing their 7-year-old son, Tyler, to leukemia. The Cullers recognized the incredible financial strain cancer places on families, even those with health insurance. They created the Foundation to provide concrete financial assistance to cancer patients, helping to ease the monetary burden of co-pays, medical equipment costs, transportation, and more.
Based in Tyler, Texas, the Culler Foundation has grown into a nationally-recognized non-profit that has helped over 4,500 families to date. The Foundation prides itself on providing timely financial aid so that patients can focus on their health instead of bills. Grants are available for cancer patients of all ages and types, regardless of their financial situation.
Culler Foundation Services
The Culler Foundation provides the following services to cancer patients and their families:
Financial Assistance Grants
– Co-pay assistance for doctor visits and prescription medications
– Transportation costs to and from treatments
– Medical equipment and supplies
– Home healthcare and in-home nursing care
– Alternative treatments like massage therapy and acupuncture
– Rent/mortgage, car payments, and utility bills
– Travel and lodging expenses for distant cancer treatments
– Childcare assistance
– Other cancer-related costs on a case-by-case basis
Emotional Support Services
– In-person and online support groups
– Individual and family counseling
– Hospital visitation programs
– Caregiver respite services
– Bereavement support
– Patient advocacy services
Types of Grants Offered
The Culler Foundation offers two main types of financial assistance grants:
Medical Grants
Medical grants provide financial assistance for cancer treatments and care. This encompasses co-pays, equipment/supplies, in-home nursing, alternative therapies, and travel for distant treatments. The Foundation prioritizes covering costs that insurance does not, so patients can pursue medically necessary care without financial limitations.
Family Support Grants
Family support grants help cancer patients maintain financial stability for their household. The Foundation understands the losses in income and high costs often accompanying a cancer diagnosis. Family support grants help cover bills, rent/mortgage, car payments, childcare and more. Grants help ease financial stress so patients can focus fully on their health.
Grant Eligibility Requirements
The Culler Foundation has the following eligibility requirements to apply for a financial assistance grant:
– Patient must have a current cancer diagnosis
– Patient and family must demonstrate financial need
– Patient must be currently receiving cancer treatment or enrolled in a clinical trial
– Patients of all cancer types, stages, and ages are eligible to apply
– Patient must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
While the Foundation requires demonstration of financial need, there are no specific income eligibility thresholds. The Culler Foundation conducts in-depth reviews of each applicant’s financial situation and funding needs.
How to Apply for a Grant
Applying for a grant from the Culler Foundation involves the following steps:
1. Visit cullerfoundation.org and click on the “Apply for a Grant” page. This provides eligibility details, application instructions, and access to the online application.
2. Complete the grant application questionnaire. This collects basic information about the patient, diagnosis, financial situation, and specific funding needs.
3. Submit supporting documentation. Applicants must provide proof of identity, income sources, insurance coverage, and cancer diagnosis. A physician must sign confirmation of the diagnosis.
4. Take part in a phone or in-person interview. The Foundation conducts interviews to fully understand each applicant’s unique circumstances.
5. Await application review. The Foundation reviews applications every 3 weeks. Applicants are promptly notified if their grant request is approved.
6. Receive grant funds. Approved grants are paid directly to the service provider, not the applicant. Funds for bills/expenses are paid on the applicant’s behalf.
Application Review Process
The Culler Foundation follows a rigorous process when reviewing grant applications:
– Verification of all patient information and documentation
– Background check and financial review
– Committee evaluation of need and specific grant request
– One-on-one patient/family interview
– Comparison to past grants awarded
– Consideration of available funding and timing of payouts
– Board approval for grant amounts exceeding $3,000
This comprehensive review ensures grants directly help patients battling cancer. The Culler Foundation prides itself on transparent, equitable grant decisions.
Average Grant Amounts
The Culler Foundation awards over $3 million in grants each year. The average grant amount depends on the patient’s financial needs and available funding, but general averages are:
| Grant Type | Average Amount |
|---|---|
| Medical Grants | $1,500 |
| Family Support Grants | $2,500 |
| Total Average Grant | $4,000 |
For high-cost treatments like bone marrow transplants, grants up to $10,000 may be awarded. No limit exists for cumulative grants per patient. The Foundation can re-assess need every 3 months and award additional grants.
Application Denials
The Culler Foundation regrettably cannot fund every grant application received. Reasons an application may be denied include:
– Insufficient documentation of identity, diagnosis, or costs
– Lack of demonstrated financial need
– Funds requested deemed excessive or inappropriate
– Failure to meet eligibility criteria
– Previous abuse or fraud of grant funds
If an application is denied, the Culler Foundation provides detailed explanations by phone or in writing. Patients can re-apply after 3 months if their circumstances change.
Culler Foundation’s Impact
Since 2005, the Culler Foundation has provided immense financial assistance to tens of thousands fighting cancer. Some key facts about their impact include:
– Over $35 million in grants awarded to date
– 4,500+ cancer patients helped over 15+ years
– Average grant of $4,000 provides tangible financial relief
– 94% of funds go directly to patient grants
– Ranked among top cancer charities by Charity Navigator
The Foundation estimates 75% of recipients say their grant allowed them to access treatments otherwise out of reach. By easing financial toxicity, the Culler Foundation is fulfilling their mission of helping families battling cancer day by day.
Conclusion
The Culler Foundation provides invaluable financial assistance to cancer patients and families facing medical crisis. Through medical and family support grants, the Foundation eases the monetary burden of cancer treatment. Their application process and grant funding model allows aid to reach patients with demonstrated need quickly and effectively. Since 2005, the Culler Foundation has made a real impact in thousands of lives affected by cancer. Their work alleviating financial toxicity continues Tyler Culler’s inspirational legacy.
