The Sanborn Foundation - Providing financial assistance to Arlington MA residents affected by cancer since 1998

How can the Sanborn Foundation help me?

The Sanborn Foundation helps Arlington Massachusetts residents pay for expenses related to their cancer care and treatment. Since its inception, the Foundation has granted more than $5,000,000 and helped hundreds of your friends and neighbors.

Do I qualify?

If you are an Arlington Massachusetts resident and have a letter from your medical provider verifying a cancer diagnosis, you are eligible to apply for a grant.

If you have additional questions, please review our frequently asked questions page or contact us for more information.

Do you provide transportation assistance?

Funded by a grant from the Sanborn Foundation, the Arlington Council on Aging Transportation Program provides rides for Sanborn recipients of any age to cancer-related medical appointments.

Learn more about arranging for a ride or escort to your medical appointments.

Recipient Stories

Soon after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Amy Yelin learned about Sanborn from another Thompson School mom. Sanborn's support has included all of Amy's out-of-pocket expenses and co-pays, wigs and supplies related to lymphedema.

How do I apply?

The Sanborn Foundation uses an easy, online program to process applications and maintain individual recipient accounts.

If you need assistance, please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Sheelah Ward at 781-859-6079. Or, if you’re ready to apply now, click the button below:

Apply Online

Testimonials

I have been struggling with breast cancer off and on since 2009 and Sanborn has helped me tremendously along the way.

My illness kept me from working full-time. As a single parent, it has not always been easy to make ends meet, but you have helped to bridge the gap.

Thank you again, Sanborn. Every time we tell a family member how amazing your foundation is their jaws just drop! We are so grateful for all the help you provide.

I just want to say how incredibly grateful I am to the Sanborn Foundation for their help during my time of need. I was completely overwhelmed when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. It’s been a whirlwind year – two rounds of chemotherapy/immunotherapy, two surgeries and then radiation, during which the COVID19 outbreak occurred. But the Sanborn Foundation has been so helpful with medical bills and other expenses. I just wanted to reach out and say how grateful I am for all that you have done.

Receiving the grant truly is a miracle as we did not know where we were going to find the funds needed for my treatment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, you have no idea how much your support means.

I wanted to send my deepest, heartfelt thanks for all financial support I was given during a very difficult diagnosis and recovery this year.
Eight months post-surgery, I am fully back to life… working, swimming, travel, time with friends and family.
The support I got from Sanborn was invaluable, and made an uncertain time just a bit easier.

M.S.

I still feel as if I’m waking up from a dream after talking with you (Sanborn Outreach Coordinator) yesterday. My husband and I are absolutely floored at the kindness and generosity of your organization. From the bottom of our hearts – thank you.

Surviving Stage 4 cancer was made possible, in part, by your generosity in service and care – thank you from the bottom of my heart

Thank you! Thank you! I passed the Sanborn information along to a friend and within two days they were approved and a huge bill was handled. The immediate relief and kindness that was provided to the family is amazing. I’m so grateful.

Thank you very much to the Sanborn Foundation for helping me out. I am glad you are there for me, if I need you.

The funds from the Sanborn have meant a tremendous amount to me and my family. We have been able to focus on me getting better instead of on the financial stress, in addition to the overwhelming situation we have found ourselves in.

Providing financial assistance to Arlington residents affected by cancer since 1998