2019 Annual Report presented by The LiFT Network
Table of Contents 3
Letter from the Director
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About The LiFT Network
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The Problem
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The Solution
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Reaching More Families Together
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A Year of Growth and Collaboration
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2019 by the Numbers
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2
Going Forward
The LiFT Network • Annual Report 2019
Letter from the Director What a year it has been! As I reflect on the accomplishments of The LiFT Network in 2019, I have a deep sense of gratitude for the nationwide community of nonprofits dedicated to supporting families facing cancer. We see you, and we’re so grateful for your like-minded dedication to alleviating hardships for these families. When Family Reach realized the next step in reducing and preventing the financial burden of cancer was to create The LiFT Network, a small group of believers joined us to pilot the initiative. Bonded by the power of collaboration, new members joined our founding nonprofits this past year and, together, we made progress on long-term priorities while also learning, adapting, and evolving. We know that there are still hundreds of cancer-focused nonprofits working independently and tirelessly to fundraise and build awareness for the financial burden of cancer - a national problem that is hiding in plain sight. We know even with limited time and resources, there are so many out there dedicated to increasing access to financial services for cancer patients and their families. No one can match your passion and ability to drive your mission forward and engage your community, but The LiFT Network provides operational support so your organization can deliver a comprehensive Financial Treatment Program to families, report on the impact, and continue to grow support for your mission. We are committed to providing our network members with the systems, processes, and technology that save money and time. Joining forces means reaching families more effectively and efficiently, ultimately amplifying the impact you have on your community. We are so excited about how far The LiFT Network has come, and we will carry the momentum forward to continue uniting cancer nonprofits in the fight against the financial burden of cancer. We hope you will join us! Sincerely, Joanna Scott Director of The LiFT Network
The LiFT Network • Annual Report 2019
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About The LiFT Network Across the country, there are hundreds of nonprofits dedicated to supporting families faced with the financial burden of cancer. We all witness the daily struggle of families who cannot pay for everyday expenses on top of costs associated with cancer. As nonprofits, we feel a profound responsibility to help families burdened by cancer and refuse to stop in the face of obstacles. Still, we have limited time and resources and the problem is too large to solve alone. Family Reach launched The LiFT Network in 2018 to bring like-minded nonprofits together, connected by a shared belief that together we can do more for the cancer patients and caregivers we serve. Through The Network, Family Reach offers service delivery, program improvements, and resources to members, ensuring cancer nonprofits don’t have to reinvent the wheel or waste limited resources. The LiFT Network unites nonprofits in the fight against the financial burden of cancer, allowing them to scale their efforts and extend their impact. Together, we are reaching more families. Together, we are stronger.
Members in 2019
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The LiFT Network • Annual Report 2019
The Problem: Financial Burden of Cancer When we work independently, we miss opportunities to share resources, improve our responses to complex issues, and expand our impact. When we work together through The LiFT Network, we gain resources, tools, and programs, which ultimately gives us time to concentrate on fundraising, building awareness, and creating systemic change.
1 in 3 families with a child in active cancer treatment are unable to afford basic needs
66% of households in foreclosure identify medical costs and debt as a direct cause of their home foreclosure
Cancer patients are 2.65x more likely to go bankrupt than people without cancer
The LiFT Network • Annual Report 2019
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The Solution Early Intervention and Effective Programs: By partnering with Family Reach, Network members leverage a well-developed Financial Treatment Program and management team to increase access to financial services for the patients and families they serve. Support for families cannot stop at a financial grant. We know that families who receive additional financial support services, what we refer to as “wrap-around services�, are set up for greater financial success during their cancer experience.
Membership in the LiFT Network allows you to offer a proven Financial Treatment Program to support your patients and families with comprehensive wrap-around services.
Financial education materials
Resource navigation
Financial Planning for Cancer Program
Financial Assistance for non-medical costs
Access to the national online LiFT Network community further unites members through shared resources, best practices, and crucial data to support the organization.
Access to a community of superstars to collaborate, brainstorm, and garner support
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An established operation to serve as an extension of your team
Content and research to support your fundraising efforts
Networking opportunities through conferences, virtual meetings, and peer to peer discussions
The LiFT Network • Annual Report 2019
Reaching More Families Together Diagnosed with optic pathway glioma in April 2019, one-year-old Mayson is one of the many cancer heroes we draw inspiration from. He lives in Willis, Texas with his parents and five siblings, and travels over 50 miles to the hospital for treatment. Soon after his diagnosis, Mayson’s family experienced a drastic decrease in income and quickly drained their savings while trying to keep up with the costs of travel to treatment and essential expenses like the mortgage. Thankfully, they were connected to Family Reach to alleviate their financial burdens. Family Reach turned to its LiFT Network members to ensure Mayson’s family could receive as much support as possible. A Family Reach grant was combined with support from Addi’s Faith and the Anthony Rizzo Foundation, and together, The LiFT Network filled a brief but critical financial gap to prevent foreclosure on the family’s house. Thanks to the Network’s support, Mayson’s family could focus on getting through treatment without fear of losing their safe, stable home for healing.
“The LiFT Network has really streamlined our reporting process, which is vital to our growth. We are also thankful The LiFT Network has the relationships they do with the families we are helping - it’s so impactful to hear from the families our funding directly supports.” -Kelly Kullick, Hands for Holly Memorial Fund
The LiFT Network • Annual Report 2019
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A Year of Growth and Collaboration Collaboration is at the heart of The LiFT Network, and we continued to work together and create solutions in 2019: • United 7 nonprofit members across the country to provide streamlined access to financial support and share ideas that will bring us to the next level. • Launched an online community to foster continuous and accessible collaboration through shared resources, best practices, and data collection. • Hosted our inaugural LiFT Network Conference in December, when our members and a few of our nonprofit peers gathered in Boston for a day of examining and identifying new solutions to complex issues facing our patients and hospital partners. Network members left inspired by the chance to come together with their nonprofit peers in this unique environment focused exclusively on the financial burden of cancer.
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The LiFT Network • Annual Report 2019
2019 by the Numbers Partnered with 123 hospitals nationwide Why it matters: Healthcare professionals have limited time and more patients with financial hardship than ever before. Together, we can provide streamlined access to meaningful financial resources ensuring quicker and greater access to support no matter where a family is located.
Reached 576 families with the Financial Treatment Program Why it matters: Much like with treatment, early intervention is especially important for preserving financial health and meeting families as early as possible in their cancer journey.
LiFT ImpactÂ
Household Annual Income
Patient Age 25.9%
19.7% Under $24,250
38.6%
38.6%
$24,251-48,500
0-9
$48,501- $100,000
10-17
Over $100,000
18-30
Unkown
31 +
7.8%
None
35.1%
27.7%
Patient Race
Percent of LiFT Grants by Race 60%
51.48% 40%
24.87%
20%
10.61% 0%
White
7.83%
Other Black or African American
The LiFT Network • Annual Report 2019
2.26% Asian or Paci c Islander
65% of families Hospitals reported that 123at least they lost 50% or more of 65% of families reported their income that they lost at least 50% or more of their income since treatment since treatment began began.
Unknown
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Going Forward In 2019, we focused on strengthening The LiFT Network to better serve our member nonprofits as well as families facing the financial hardship of cancer. In the year ahead, we will work to: • • • •
Reach more families through increased access to the Financial Treatment Program Expand our current programs and collaborate on solutions that strengthen our impact Create additional fundraising and development resources for our members Build capacity to welcome more members to The Network
So far in 2020, The LiFT Network’s collaboration has been a powerful response to the significant uncertainty and crisis we are all experiencing. We have come together to support one another, overcome new and unfamiliar challenges, and ensure continued program access for families. Going forward, we know that this collaboration will continue to be key for our organizations to weather the unpredictable and build long-term, policychanging solutions.
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The LiFT Network • Annual Report 2019
POWERED BY FAMILY REACH Family Reach is a national 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to eradicating the financial barriers that accompany a cancer diagnosis. We work with patients and healthcare professionals at more than 400 top-tier hospitals and cancer centers, striving to reach more families before they hit critical financial breaking points. Through our solutions-oriented Financial Treatment Program, nationwide events, strategic partnerships, and generous community support, we disrupt how cancer financially affects families.
Please email liftnetwork@familyreach.org to join or sponsor The LiFT Network. Thank you to our 2019 LiFT Network sponsors: