Scrappy, has she looked into what kinds of state funds there might be? I know in California women without other insurance can get their cancer treatments covered through a Medical program specifically for breast/ovarian/cervical/etc cancer. My MiL used that and she got top of the line treatment. As Laura notes, she should ask her doctor or maybe the hospital social worker for coverage options.

If the hospital she'll be going to is non profit there will be a lot of options to help. I know the major hospital here gives an automatic 30% discount to uninsured patients, they set up payment plans, and have other options as well depending on the financial situation of the patient.

I know I don't have to say this to you guys, but the US healthcare system baffles and scares me.

Us, too, Sue.

Sometimes I really loathe the feast or famine nature of my job. Someone tell me I'm going to figure out a way to meet all of my deadlines.

Thanks, you guys. I want to be a good friend, but the whole thing just feels wrong to me.

Yeah, I have tons of friends who throw fundraising parties or ask for money for mastectomies and hysterectomies, for trans reasons. But nobody asks $1000, and they tend to have already tried their insurance or whatever. I'd definitely consider helping her (meals and visits after? A little bit of cash now?) but mostly encourage her to look up help like others said.

This is why I want universal healthcare damnit.

Someone tell me I'm going to figure out a way to meet all of my deadlines.

You will. Me, my deadlines are ridiculous and I'm lazy and hate my job. If I can do it, you can!

Ugh. Must find better way to pack. Thought I had a brilliant plan, didn't work. Mostly because gym shoes are too freakin big. They take up like, half my suitcase!! And then in the "crap it won't fit" panic, I ended up with only a backpack and no work appropriate purse/laptop holder. Not the end of the world, but annoying.

Just FexEx your stuff to the hotel.

Scrappy, she should now be eligible for the federal high risk pool. A cancer diagnosis and at least 6 months without health insurance are all that should be necessary. Premiums shouldn't be terrible--we paid $200/month for Rob for a plan with a $1500 deductible and 100% was covered after that. If she has money to cover the premiums, then she should be able to get health insurance without pre-existing conditions exclusions.

Here's California's website for the plan: [link] She should be able to google her state + federal high risk insurance pool to get the correct information.

IOW, she has options, and I think it's incredibly rude to suggest a donation level, like it's a Kickstarter project or PBS donation drive.

Drew, you'll figure it out. Then, you will sleep the sleep of the just.