Breast cancer is often seen as solely a medical journey. But for many, like Molly MacDonald, the financial toll is just as brutal. The Pink Fund CEO recently opened up about her personal battle, not just with the disease but with the crippling costs that came with it.
In a poignant recount of her journey, MacDonald shared her participation in Pink Fund’s Eyes Up Here campaign, where she bared her post-surgery body, an act she had never done before except in front of her husband. As she described her scarred breast, MacDonald painted a vivid image: “What was left of my right breast looks like a small mound on a golf course with a divot and sand trap.”
But Molly’s battle wasn’t limited to the physical realm. “Make no mistake, full or partial mastectomy is an amputation of a body part. We do it to save our lives,” she said. MacDonald emphasized the gravity of the decisions she faced, not from a medical perspective but from a financial one. With bills piling up, she found herself unable to afford essential treatments post-surgery, resulting in collections notices flooding her mailbox.
She met with a lawyer, trying to navigate the overwhelming world of medical debt. Her harrowing journey through financial hardship was reminiscent of cancer’s recurrence – unending, consuming, and ruthless. It took her three years to pay off the hospital debt she had accrued.
MacDonald was fortunate to eventually enroll in a clinical trial, granting her access to necessary medication without additional costs. However, the financial aftermath of her treatment was already wreaking havoc. Her home was foreclosed, the family car was nearly repossessed, and she was left scrambling for resources to feed her family, turning to church food pantries.
Yet, from these painful experiences, the Pink Fund was born. This organization now provides financial assistance to those undergoing breast cancer treatment, ensuring they don’t face the same dire choices MacDonald had.
In her concluding words, MacDonald made an urgent plea. “As countless individuals take to the streets advocating for a cure, we at Pink Fund urge you to consider the UNSEEN part of this fight: the financial side effects of breast cancer.”
As the world races for a cure, Molly MacDonald’s story is a stark reminder of the unseen battles many breast cancer patients face. The fight isn’t just against the disease but also against the daunting financial burdens that come with it.
For those seeking support or wanting to help, please visit Pink Fund’s official website. They provide invaluable assistance to those grappling with the financial impacts of breast cancer treatment. www.ThePinkFund.org
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