Family Grants

We come in when the "new normal" sets in. The Runway for Recovery Family Grants Program aims to help reduce the financial and logistical burdens of a cancer diagnosis and bolster families with psychological, social, and financial support. Our goal is to provide a continuum of support and help redefine a family's experience with a breast cancer diagnosis or loss. We are committed to being flexible with families in order to address their specific needs.

"She wanted Athena to be happy, to have a good life, and to do well in school."

Athena Shearrion-Perkins

Family Grant Recipient

You are eligible to apply for a Runway for Recovery Family Grant if you reside in New England or Southern California (L.A. or Orange counties only), and you have had a parent pass away from breast cancer and/or are the caregiver for a child/children who lost a parent to breast cancer. In addition, if you are a patient living with stage IV, metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and your family needs help with funding, you are also now eligible to apply to our program.

We have special partnerships with Dana Farber, The Ellie Fund, The Joe Andruzzi Foundation, EmpowerHer, and The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange, CA. Please be in touch with your social worker if your family is associated with any of the hospitals or organizations listed, and they will help you complete the application.

Who Does Runway Fund?

The best candidates for funding from Runway for Recovery are individuals who can make a clear and direct connection between their current financial and emotional difficulties, and their experience with losing a loved one to breast cancer or the impact of living with MBC. If you are not sure whether or not you would be a good candidate for funding, please email your specific questions to runway@runwayforrecovery.org and we would be happy to give you feedback about whether it is appropriate for you to apply. If you have limited internet access, you may call our office at 978-255-4730.

Good candidates for a Runway for Recovery grant fit most of all of the below criteria:

Live in New England or Southern California (LA and Orange Counties)
Have immediate financial needs related to support services for caregiver/children that are not being covered
Are not able to get financial assistance from any other source
Are struggling financially as a result of their family experience with cancer (e.g., lost wages, high medical bills, etc.) or its aftermath (e.g., limited ability to work)
Are limited in their employment options after the family’s experience with breast cancer
Are not sure where to turn and are looking for a starting point for familial support

What Does Runway Fund?

Summer camp fees & travel to/from camp
Childcare services (daycare, babysitting services) (variable)
Counseling Services for the caregiver/children
- Playgroup therapy sessions for kids
- Support Groups for Adults
Tutoring/other academic support for children
Extracurricular activities for children (i.e. sports teams, leagues, clubs, classes, memberships, etc.)
Alternative Healing & Wellness Classes (acupuncture, yoga, meditation classes)
Books, supplies for academic work
Continuing Ed or Vocational Training for caregiver
Continuing School Tuition
Gym memberships
Financial Advisor
House cleaners or professional organizer (one time or regularly)
Meal Support
Other (Runway for Recovery understands that there may be large areas of need we have not identified in this list and very much invite applicants to suggest other areas)

Please note that Runway for Recovery will award grants to recipients but will pay the third parties for the services directly.

What is Runway's Funding Schedule?

"Yes, I can tough it out and do it by myself, but I shouldn't have to. And I don't need to."

Long Tran

Family Grant Recipient

"I am fairly certain that we as human beings are not meant to go through things alone."

Angelo Firenze

Family Grant Recipient

"I hate to use the phrase move on because we never will, but Runway helps us march forward and put all of the funding to its best possible use. "

Ben Wisnewski

Family Grant Recipient

Tell Us Your Story.

Our social workers will create a personalized plan to show you where to begin.

"When people are coping with grief they need more than just finances, they need support, and Runway is able to do that."

Mary Lou Seitz

Social Worker

"Each person is different and everyone grieves differently so what they need and the kind of support they are looking for varies considerably. "

-Maggie Corcoran Seitz

Leaving a Legacy of Love.

Sometimes as a women's journey fighting breast cancer nears the end she will have thoughts of leaving a legacy of love for her children. We are committed to helping these women share their words of love by creating videos that their children can watch when they are gone. We are currently only able to provide this complimentary video to those who live in Massachusetts. Learn More

These videos are important and cathartic in the moment for the mothers, but for the children they are treasured for a life time.

Make a Video

"The unknown, for me, was the scary part...the only thing I could think about was my kids."

Jennie Vargas

Model

We need your help

The Runway community has been fortunate enough to meet over 850 men, women, and children who have been affected by breast cancer. All the funds, over $3.1M since our founding, goes to wrap-around services for families facing the unimaginable during and after a breast cancer diagnosis.

We want nothing more than to continue changing the lives of those affected by this disease in big ways and small. This is where you come in! Any donation truly helps and we are extremely grateful.

You may donate online by clicking the button below or sending a check to:
Runway for Recovery
29 Water Street, Suite 216
Newburyport, MA 01950

SUPPORT RUNWAY TODAY