The Pink Purse mission is to provide emergency assistance to underserved breast cancer patients in financial crisis while undergoing active treatment for a breast cancer diagnosis. This emergency fund provides assistance for critical non-medical essential household expenses.

Active treatment for the purposes of the Pink Purse is defined as the period after a positive breast cancer diagnosis has been made and during which therapies are being administered, including surgical procedures to remove the cancer (ie. single or bi-lateral mastectomy, lumpectomy), chemotherapy or radiation. Active treatment does not include long-term hormonal therapies such as Tamoxifen or an Aromatase Inhibitor.

Pink Purse Funds considers the following but not limited to as “Critical Non-Medical Household Expenses”:
• Rent or Mortgage
• Utilities (i.e. electricity, heat, gas and hot water)
• Phone and Cable
• Food Cards
• Transportation to and from hospital visits and treatment centers to include Uber gift cards, car loan payments and car insurance premiums

* Please note Pink Purse does not pay directly to individuals but to the service provider

For Applicants residing OUTSIDE Connecticut and Long Island, NY:

• If you reside outside of CT or Long Island, NY your household income must be 200% below the federal poverty level based on last year's federal tax return in order to apply for financial assistance from Pink Aid’s Pink Purse at this time.
• For qualified patients, Pink Aid’s Pink Purse will fund up to $500 per applicant, once during a twelve-month period.
• Grant funding will be considered ONLY for household utility and/or transportation expenses at this time.
• All applications must include the required documentation listed on this application in order to be eligible for funding. Incomplete applications will not be considered for review.

• A signed letter from doctor on his/her letterhead confirming breast cancer diagnosis including date of latest treatment
• A signed letter from a Nurse Navigator, Hospital Social Worker or 501c3 Administrator verifying the patient has been screened and qualifies for financial assistance.
• A current and accurate billing statement/invoice that supports the month being requested for funding and the complete address to which payments are sent.
• Bill requested must be for the patient’s place of residence
• If requesting a rent payment, we require and prefer a current lease. If a lease is not available, please use our Proof of Residency Form.

For all social workers, you may use these documents to determine financial need. (There is no need to send these documents to Pink Aid.)

Examples of acceptable documentation for confirmation of annual income:
• Most Recent Federal Income Tax Return
• Pay stubs
• Most recent W-2 or 1099
• Social Security Award Letter
• Unemployment Statement
• Workers Compensation Award Letter
• Letter from sponsor/family financially supporting patient
• Verification of extenuating circumstances that account for sudden loss of income

Financial Need:
All applicants residing outside of the state of CT and Long Island, NY, household income should reflect 200% or less below Federal Poverty Level based on last year’s federal tax return. A patient will be deemed to have financial need based on the Federal Poverty Levels (“FPG”).