The FLY Foundation helps young adults with cancer deal with the challenging financial costs that accompany their diagnosis.
Mortgages. Rent. Gas. Food. Bills, co-pays and so much more. For anyone undergoing cancer treatment, meeting these everyday financial demands can be a challenge. But for young adults with cancer, these bills can rapidly become overwhelming. Between a first job, a new home, student loans, and young children, the emotional and physical cost of cancer treatment exists alongside the real costs of life. That gave rise to the FLY Foundation.
The FLY Foundation provides grants to young adults ages 19-39 in Massachusetts and Rhode Island who are undergoing cancer treatment. To date, the foundation has given out more than 170 grants to members of the community. It all began when FLY Foundation founder, Julia Saulio, came face-to-face with cancer at age 29. It became clear that, for many of her peers, keeping their lives, ambitions and finances on track as they battled the disease would take a very special effort. “For those of us who are fortunate enough to beat cancer, many emerge only to face the financial ruins that cancer left behind,” Julia says. “I believe that all young adults deserve the opportunity to pursue their goals and start adulthood on the right foot. Cancer survivors shouldn’t have to ‘lose’ after fighting for their life and overcoming such staggering odds.”
In a relatively short time, the FLY Foundation has grown to create a new community of support in southern New England. As it raises more funds and reaches more people, it will continue to work to bring financial freedom to those fighting cancer.
