This project funds financial assistance for families dealing with childhood cancer. Each low- to moderate-income family (90% of the families we serve) can apply for up to $5,000 to assist with rent or mortgage payment; auto loan payment, registration, insurance, repairs, and fuel vouchers; payment of utility bills; medications, treatments, and home care services not covered by insurance; funeral expenses; and other costs like counseling, childcare, groceries/meals, and hotel accommodations. Last year we served 217 people (51 families) with this program. Our goal for 2010 is to give financial assistance to 248 people (60 families). Financial assistance is one of the most important aspects of our program. Families can face staggering financial challenges as a result of a cancer diagnosis. Reports indicate that families can spend 25 percent or more of their income on co-payments and items not covered by insurance. These “out-of-pocket” expenses include travel to treatment centers, overnight lodging, meals, child care for siblings, long-distance telephone charges, special foods, nutritional supplements, and special equipment or clothing. Parental income can be significantly affected as well. Working parents can lose wages—or their jobs—due to the time required to see their child through the treatment process. Such parental support is very beneficial for these children, however. In fact, there is a proven correlation between how well children with cancer do, and the time a parent spends with the child. The financial strain commonly experienced by these families is made even more difficult by the current state of the economy. Many of our families have been affected by the economic downturn, and at least seven parents have lost their jobs completely or have been forced to go from full-time to part-time employment. This makes the impact that the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation has on families more significant than ever before.