To Assist Western New York families of Children with Cancer

Description:
We work with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Women's and Children Hospital, Essential Care and others agencies in identifying families that need assistance. This type of assistance is based on the individual cause of financial distress for that family, i.e., travel, medical, home, utilities, etc.

History:
The Matthew Foster Foundation was established as a result of one extremely courageous young man's fight against cancer. Matthew Foster would have graduated with the Iroquois High School class of 1999. Unfortunately, he was stricken with cancer in December of 1996. In December of 1998, when traditional health insurance companies would no longer participate in Matthew's fight, the family was left to search for alternative care in hopes of saving their son's life. When the family's search led them to unconventional treatment, the costs were staggering. The community came together to raise a substantial sum of money to assist with the astronomical medical expenses. Matthew eventually lost his battle with cancer on January 29, 1999, after a 25-month battle.

After Matthew succumbed, the balance of funds remaining after medical expenses helped to establish the Matthew Foster Foundation. The Foundation's on-going mission is to help Western New York families whose children suffer from cancer by providing financial assistance to cover some of the extraordinary costs. We currently assist 2 to 3 families per month at the average cost of $1,500.

Contact people:

Burt Foster, President, (phone), (email) Deb Foster, Treasurer, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (716) 652-1880

Address:

170 Valley View Dr Elma, NY 14059 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.matthewfosterfoundation.com