KELLY SHIRES BREAST CANCER SNOW RUN
Title: Criteria for funds administration
Revisions: May 1, 2008
Policy: Criteria governing how the charity will administer funds to breast cancer patients in need across Canada.
Purpose: This policy is to guide the association in dealing with requests from (the) applicants who submit a formal application to the charity requesting financial assistance. The mission is to provide assistance to women/men in order to make their fight with breast cancer a little less challenging.
Policy Statements:
1. One must complete the application in full, including supporting documents outlining their need for financial assistance.
2. The applicant must be diagnosed with breast cancer and a Canadian citizen or an approved landed immigrant.
3. Each application can be submitted for a maximum of $1000.00 (funds permitting).
4. The applicant can apply 4 times to the Trust per calendar year, however no more than once per month (funds permitting).
5. In order to establish financial need applicants must provide current income tax notice of assessment (approval committee reserves the right to request previous years complete income tax return upon request). Receipts (and/or estimates) must be provided for amounts claimed through the fund. On occasion testimonials can be requested by approval committee indicating how the charity has helped the applicant. Proof of citizenship/approved landed immigrant status must be provided. For applicants applying for financial assistance for rent or mortgages they must supply documentation that supports the amount they are requesting. All personal information is protected under the Canadian Privacy Act. (Please note that applications cannot be considered complete and put before the committee unless ALL pertinent documentation is included, documentation requested is mandatory – if documentation is not included it will only delay any financial assistance that could be provided).
6. All applications will be reviewed by at least 3 of the approval committee members. If requests for funding do not meet the criteria listed, especially in cases where alternative medicines are being sought, these requests will also be reviewed by a licensed medical practitioner.
7. Policies and criteria are reviewed annually and amended accordingly.
Some examples that fit the funding criteria (but not limited to):
-Transportation to/from the centre for appointments or treatment
-Accommodation
-Medications that are not covered by any other plans (or non-covered % portions)
-Parking at the cancer centre/hospital
-Food costs while on active treatment
-Child-care services while at the centre/hospital for an appointment or treatment or in hospital
-Home health aides
-Prosthetics/specialized lingerie/Wigs
-Rent payment/mortgage payment
-Supportive care: counseling services for patient, partner and/or children; attendance to a cancer support program/course
-Rehabilitation supportive care: e.g., lymphedema management, weight management/nutrition consultation special needs due to chemo treatment (e.g. prescription glasses due to change of vision. Will need approval from a licensed medical practitioner)
-Other expenses related to treatment, living costs during treatment & recovery
-Expenses not listed above can be submitted and considered after review by Directors and approval committee
Application Process:
1. Submit a completed Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run application. This can be downloaded on-line at www.kellyshiresfoundation.org or requested by mail or fax by calling 1-877-436-6467. The applicant must disclose if they are receiving any financial assistance from other sources (e.g., programs in centre, health insurance programs, group insurance programs.
2. Priority will be given:
- to low income applicants
- To applications where costs are medically related to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Canadian residents can apply for assistance to this fund with exception of Quebec residents who need to apply directly to the Quebec chapter (www.randonneedesneiges.org).
3. Applicants will be notified of application status within 5 business days of submitting a completed application form & supporting documents.
OTHER APPLICATIONS OF THE FUND:
Annually the charity can choose to donate funds to cancer centers, hospitals or research within Canada. (funds permitting)
Please note that in order to help as many breast cancer patients as possible assistance for funds relating to the following items will be capped at the following amounts per application:
· Mortgage/rent will be capped at $700/request
· Groceries will be capped at $500/request
· Lifetime financial assistance will be capped at $10,000.00
This policy and criteria is reviewed and changed annually according to demand and limitation of funds.