Desert Cancer Foundation

Desert Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting residents in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities who need financial assistance in obtaining screening, diagnosis and treatment for cancer and allied diseases. Desert Cancer Foundation (DCF), a California 501(c)3 corporation, was founded in 1994 to pay for cancer treatment of residents who lack health insurance or sufficient funds to pay for their medical care by our founders, Dr. Sebastian George and Art & Cory Teichner. We work with the generous support of local healthcare professionals, social workers, case workers, and advocates to share the availability of our program with the community. Program applicants are individually reviewed by a volunteer patient assistance committee, which includes medical professionals, medical social workers, and a medical financial counselor. The primary consideration for acceptance in the Desert Cancer Foundation program is a demonstrated need for financial assistance to obtain local cancer care. Desert Cancer Foundation's advance into cancer screening has been driven by the knowledge that individuals who lack financial resources frequently seek medical assistance for ongoing health problems in more advanced stages of the disease. This situation often requires more costly treatment and sometimes provides a less optimistic prognosis for the patient. Patients are well served by having one agency to interact with to assist with the cost of cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment if a diagnosis is made. Through our programs, we are able to ensure no local valley resident goes without cancer care due to an inability to pay. Since inception, DCF has paid for cancer-related screening, diagnosis, and treatment valued at more than $109 million dollars for more than 8,700local valley residents at a cost of only $10.8 million thanks to the generous support of our community.