Life’s Unexpected Turns
- Frank Long of Bowling Green, Kentucky was playing lottery games online to distract himself from his cancer battle, then he won big. It couldn’t have come at a better time, as he was dealing with financial issues related to this medical bills and living expenses.
- Financial stress is tough, especially while going through cancer. Some people say that paying for cancer treatment ends up being more challenging than the treatment itself. It is important to know that there are resources out there to help you.
- Many drug companies and clinical trials also offer patient assistance programs. You may be eligible for these. The social workers at your cancer care clinic can help guide you through the various options. Patient advocacy groups are also willing to help in several ways–and your church or social group may be another source of support.
Frank Long of Bowling Green, Kentucky was playing lottery games online to distract himself from his cancer battle, then he won big.
The out-of-work survivor was in treatment and after winning two $700 cash prizes, his wife Sonya encouraged him to “goof off” with a bigger bet on Oct. 11 for the Bank Buster Jackpot Instant Play game.
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The next day, he and his wife headed to Kentucky Lottery headquarters to claim their winnings, which came out to $166,265 after taxes.
Related: Woman Wins More Than $1 Million in The Lottery Just As She Finishes Radiation For Cancer: ‘It’s A Cherry On Top Of The Cake!’
The good news helped ease his current financial stress. “It took a lot off of me and I’m still trying to process,” he said. “This is sure shocking.”
Related: ‘I Just Couldn’t Quite Believe It’: Cancer Survivor Wins $135,000 in the National Lottery Thanks to Her Lucky Elephants
Frank has reportedly finished chemo and radiation, but the status of his cancer or health details are unclear. However, a local news station reported that the couple is considering taking a cruise when the lotto winner starts feeling better.
Financial Stress and Cancer
While it’s nice to celebrate the good fortune of others like Frank, especially while going through cancer, it’s not realistic for all of us to be this lucky.
Financial stress is tough. Some people say that paying for cancer treatment ends up being more challenging than the treatment itself.
Related: ‘Strong in Cancer’: How To Combat Financial Anxiety, Plus Tips For Making Difficult Treatment Decisions
It’s rare for health insurance to pay for 100 percent of your cancer treatment. It’s something most people struggle with.
However, there are resources that you may not know about. For example, it’s common for doctors to get on the phone and advocate on your behalf with your insurance company.
How to Get Help With the Cancer Bills
Many drug companies and clinical trials also offer patient assistance programs. You may be eligible for these.
The social workers at your cancer care clinic can help guide you through the various options.
Dr. Allyson Ocean, a medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medical Center, recommends finding an advocate within the medical field when dealing with costly medical bills. Speaking from experience, Dr. Ocean knows having a medical advocate in your corner can make all the difference. She calls insurance companies all the time to help her patients get the treatment they need covered by insurance.
Patient advocacy groups are also willing to help in several ways–and your church or social group may be another source of support.
Stay Positive, It Matters
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