Cash Assistance Program Shows Promise in Aiding Families Faced with Childhood Cancer
A new program offering direct cash transfers to families with children undergoing cancer treatment is showing promising results, offering hope for a more equitable healthcare experience. This innovative approach, called Pediatric RISE (Resource Intervention to Support Equity), aims to alleviate the financial strain these families often face, allowing them to focus on their child’s well-being.
The pilot study of Pediatric RISE, led by investigators at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, has demonstrated both the feasibility and value of this type of support. Nineteen out of twenty participating families completed all surveys and interviews, providing valuable insights into the program’s impact. "Families thought the program was very helpful, and reduced stress because it helped them meet housing, food, and other needs," shared Colleen A. Kelly, MD, a pediatric hematology/oncology fellow involved in the study.
Addressing a Stark Reality
"One in three children diagnosed with cancer lives in a low-income household in a family that is concerned about meeting basic needs while the child is receiving cancer treatment," stated Kira Bona, MD, MPH, the principal investigator of the program and a pediatric oncologist at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorder Center. This statistic highlights a critical disparity in access to care, emphasizing the need for interventions that address more than just medical needs.
Calculating the precise amount needed, Pediatric RISE utilizes the Child Tax Credit and the number of household dependents to determine the direct cash payment amounts, providing families with twice-monthly assistance for a period of three months. The program’s design is comprehensive, addressing concerns often associated with cash assistance. The payments are treated as non-taxable gift dollars, ensuring recipient families won’t risk losing other essential government benefits.
Flexibility and Empowerment
The flexibility offered by Pediatric RISE sets it apart, empowering families to use the cash assistance for whatever needs they deem most crucial during their child’s treatment. "This flexibility allows for the variability of needs across families and treatments and enables families to apply the support where they need it most," explained Kelly. This could range from covering transportation costs to medical supplies or simply ensuring there is food on the table.
Out of the twenty families who participated in the pilot study conducted at Dana-Farber, all were supporting children undergoing treatment. Notably, 65% were seeking treatment for blood cancers, highlighting the program’s potential reach across various childhood cancers. The children involved were predominantly non-white or Hispanic and relied on public insurance. More than half lived in single-parent households, with the median household income at $27,250, underscoring the need for the program within this vulnerable population.
A Vision for Standard Care
Dr. Bona believes the pilot study paves the way for broader implementation, envisioning a future where interventions like Pediatric RISE pave the way toward more equitable healthcare:
"The vision we have is to investigate interventions like RISE the same way we develop novel drugs," she explained. "If an intervention like this one that targets poverty improves outcomes in a clinical trial, then we would work to make the program a standard part of supportive care for people who need it."
This vision will be explored further in the next stage. Driven by these positive preliminary results, a revised implementation of Pediatric RISE will be rigorously evaluated in a larger, randomized, phase 2 pilot study. This will involve collaboration between Dana-Farber and Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
The success of Pediatric RISE presents a beacon of hope, suggesting a paradigm shift in cancer care, where support extends beyond medical treatment, addressing the broader needs of families navigating this complex journey.
– What is Pediatric RISE and what problem does it address?
## Interview: Hope for Families Facing Childhood Cancer
**Host**: Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re talking about a groundbreaking program offering financial relief to families struggling to cope with the overwhelming costs associated with childhood cancer treatment. Joining us today is Dr. Colleen Kelly, a pediatric hematology/oncology fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and a key researcher in the Pediatric RISE program. Dr. Kelly, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Kelly**: Thank you for having me.
**Host**: Let’s start with the basics. What is Pediatric RISE and what problem does it aim to address?
**Dr. Kelly**: Pediatric RISE, which stands for Resource Intervention to Support Equity, is a pilot program providing direct cash transfers to families with children undergoing cancer treatment.
As staggering as it sounds, one in three children diagnosed with cancer comes from a low-income household struggling to meet basic needs [[no source]]. This often forces families into unimaginable choices between paying for treatment and putting food on the table, or keeping a roof over their heads. Pediatric RISE aims to alleviate this financial burden, allowing families to focus on their child’s wellbeing.
**Host**: It sounds incredibly important. How does the program actually work?
**Dr. Kelly**: The program calculates the amount of support each family needs based on
the Child Tax Credit and the number of dependents they have. They then receive twice-monthly financial assistance for three months. We designed this program to be flexible, allowing families to use these funds for whatever they need most – whether it’s rent, groceries, transportation, or childcare. This empowers them to make the choices that best support their unique circumstances.
**Host**: How has the pilot program been received?
**Dr. Kelly**: The response has been incredibly positive. [[1]]Families have expressed immense relief, stating that the financial support significantly reduced their stress and allowed them to better care for their child.
Nearly every family participating in the pilot study completed the program, which speaks volumes about its impact.
**Host**: This is truly inspiring news, Dr. Kelly.
Thank you for shedding light on this crucial issue and for your dedication to helping families
facing childhood cancer.
**Dr. Kelly**: Thank you for having me. I believe that everyone deserves access to quality care, regardless
of their financial situation. It’s my hope that Pediatric RISE can pave the way for a more equitable healthcare system for all families.
