About the NMCCF — Breathe Easy with a Free Lung Screening

In 2023, supported over 600 individuals. 98% of our direct grant support was provided to clients with a household income below $36,000, with average applicant income of $15,424.

The New Mexico Cancer Center foundation was established in April 2002 as a 501(c)3 with a mission to be a dedicated leader in providing non-medical assistance to patients under care at the NMCC who have cancer or other life-changing illnesses. This support is designed to meet their financial, emotional, and educational needs throughout the treatment continuum.

Barriers in access to care have a significant impact on not only receiving care but in screening rates, understanding disease, treatment plan compliance, and ultimately, health and wellness. The United States Department of Health and Human Services has determined that clinical care, on average, can only impact 20% of variations in health outcomes. Social Determinants of Health have a significant influence on the remaining 80%, with transportation being one of the five core domains.

The New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation’s mission promotes strategic solutions through:

Transportation

Support through both planned and emergent gas assistance and arranging third-party transportation for patients that do not have reliable transportation of their own.

Nutrition

Both planned and emergent nutrition support through prepaid debits cards that can be utilized for groceries and hygiene needs.

Direct Patient Grants

Patients apply through a ‘means based’ application process reviewed by a volunteer committee to assess and provide direct payments for rent/mortgage, utilities, transportation, lodging, and any other non-medical needs.

Education and Support

Development and implementation of programs to enhance patient education about their disease, treatment options, and resources as well as social and emotional support through peer-to-peer engagement, sharing circles, and our gift closets (free wigs, bras, and prosthetics to minimize the treatment related body changes).

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