Cancer does not care about the electric bill

Providence Swedish provides financial support that aids Northwest Hope & Healing in its mission of being there for every stage of a patient’s experience with cancer.

When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, the last thing they should worry about is their financial picture, but unfortunately that’s the reality for many people facing grave illness.   Northwest Hope & Healing supports those with a diagnosis of breast or gynecologic cancer in the Puget Sound region by providing financial assistance and community support.

Grants from their program are immediately available to patients who experience financial hardship. There is no wading through applications with long approval times. The grants focus on tangible needs by providing gift cards for things like groceries and gas, as well as helping with everyday bills for rent, utilities, or childcare.

Providence Swedish provides financial support that aids Northwest Hope & Healing in its mission of being there for every stage of a patient’s experience with cancer, starting with where patients receive treatment.

“We serve patients undergoing treatment for breast and gynecologic cancer at Swedish Cancer Institute locations throughout the region,” says Gwyn Tanner, operations and development coordinator at Northwest Hope & Healing. SCI then distributes 100% of the funds contributed by Northwest Hope & Healing to the Patient Assistance Fund.

“With Providence Swedish’s support, Northwest Hope & Healing allows patients to focus on their treatment by alleviating some of the financial stresses of bills and everyday living expenses. The assistance offered throughout the patient’s treatment can be invaluable for those who do not have extensive financial or emotional support systems to rely on through family or friends.”

One patient and recipient of Northwest Hope & Healing grant shared their gratitude, “I received my Healing Box today. It’s a wonderful feeling receiving the box. The items let me know there’s a little bit more love in this world. Thank you for the lovely gifts. They brought tears, hope and happiness and say that I’m not alone.”

Providence Swedish’s partnership with Northwest Hope & Healing assisted 313 patients in 2023. The top request from patients was for gift cards, with $163,3630 in gift cards and $20,644.84 in grant funds distributed in 2023.

If you’d like to support Northwest Hope & Healing, you can attend their annual summer brunch, auction, and fashion show on Aug. 18. This annual event celebrates survivors and raises funds for the continuing needs of patients. Learn more here.

About Providence Swedish 

Providence Swedish has served the Puget Sound region since the first Providence hospital opened in Seattle in 1877 and the first Swedish hospital opened in 1910. The two organizations affiliated in 2012 and today comprise the largest health care delivery system in Western Washington, with 22,000 caregivers, eight hospitals and 244 clinics throughout Western Washington – from Everett to Centralia. A not-for-profit family of organizations, Providence Swedish provides more than $545 million in community benefit in the Puget Sound region each year. The health system offers a comprehensive range of services and specialty and subspecialty care in a number of clinical areas, including cancer, cardiovascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, digestive health and women’s and children’s care.