The Sanborn Foundation
About
The Sanborn Foundation helps Arlington residents living with cancer pay for expenses tied to their care and treatment. Any Arlington resident with a letter from a medical provider verifying a cancer diagnosis can apply for a grant. Past grants have covered prescription cancer medications not covered by insurance, doctor’s fees and co-payments, and hospice home care and residence fees, easing some of the financial strain that so often comes with a diagnosis.
Since its inception the foundation has distributed more than $5 million and helped hundreds of town residents, from adults treated for breast cancer to families caring for a child with sarcoma. Recipients describe support for out-of-pocket costs, wigs, lymphedema supplies, counseling and tutoring for a child who missed school during treatment. The foundation also funds a transportation program run through the Arlington Council on Aging that gets recipients to their appointments.
What to Know
- Grants do not cover living expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, lost wages, groceries, child care, insurance premiums or utilities.
- Rides to cancer-related appointments are available to recipients of any age, with about two days’ notice requested.
- Rides are arranged through a local taxi or Uber, with billing handled by the Council on Aging.
- For applications received as of September 15, 2026, integrative therapies such as massage and acupuncture are no longer reimbursed.
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