Desert Cancer Foundation

Desert Cancer Foundation (DCF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping pay for cancer care for local valley residents in need of financial assistance. Founded in 1994 by Dr. Sebastian George, along with Art & Cory Teichner, with the Vision that no one should forgo life-saving treatment due to their inability to pay, DCF remains the only nonprofit organization that makes direct payments to local medical providers, on behalf of patients who otherwise could not afford or access vital care

DCF's Patient Assistance Program provides financial support for cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment for residents of the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities in need of financial assistance. The program provides timely access to medical treatment for uninsured or underinsured individuals, by covering the cost of insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays/co-insurance, for all treatments related to cancer and its allied diseases. This includes diagnostic imaging and scans, surgeries, biopsies, IV ports, and prescription medications, such as chemo and radiation therapies.

Desert Cancer Foundation has longstanding partnerships with our local healthcare community, including Desert Regional Comprehensive Cancer Center and Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center, with agreements in place, so every 1 dollar raised translates to $10 in cancer care. We also work alongside our healthcare partners - doctors, pharmacists, and social workers, to leverage existing resources and offer patient navigation.

Testimonials

"Dear DCF - Thank you for your more than generous support. [My wife] fought cancer for about 10 years. The first two years of treatment exhausted our retirement savings. Without your support, I don't know what we would have done. Love and keep up the good work." - Husband of DCF patient

I want to thank you so very much for paying for our daughter's coinsurance payment for her surgery. It is a huge blessing to know that we have help with the financial burdens of cancer since the emotional and physical aspects are already overwhelming. Your dedication to raise funds year after year so you can help those that need it when they need it is admirable. Thank you for making the burden lighter. - parent of DCF patient.