Paying It Forward to Cancer Patients In Need

When Michelle Morey of Orono was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer at the age of 37 in 2005, she underwent a mastectomy, received eight rounds of chemotherapy and took herceptin for one year.

“I was out of work for three months, and it was five months before I went back to work full time,” said Morey. “As the sole provider for my family of four, I was fortunate to have good insurance.”

Because Morey worked for her family business, she was able to take time off for treatment and to recover. As she neared the end of her treatment, she wanted to find a way to give back.

“I realized that the financial impact of a diagnosis had to be an issue for people, but because it's such a private subject, people don't discuss it,” she said. “I had no intentions of fundraising, but my husband Scott Bissen and I were going to donate money each month to North Memorial to help a patient struggling financially.”  

In addition to possibly becoming too sick to work during cancer treatment, high deductibles and co-payments often cause patients to fall behind on their bills. Also, Morey said over 60 percent of cancer treatment costs can be indirect and the responsibility of the patient.

After their first donation was used to turn a patient's water back on, they realized the problem was even bigger than they thought. In 2005, Morey and Bissen established the Pay It Forward Fund to help women pay their essential living expenses while undergoing cancer treatment.

The tagline of the Pay It Forward Fund is “Cancer doesn't care if you get behind on your bills. We do.”

To date, close to 500 women have been helped.

Each month, the Pay It Forward Fund provides over $20,000 to pay cancer patient’s utilities, mortgages or rent, childcare expenses, car repairs, qualifying medical expenses and more. They also provide gift cards for gas and food.

Qualifying patients may receive as much as $1,500 per year during their cancer treatment.

According to Morey, many patients who have benefitted from the Pay It Forward Fund pay it forward in their own way, at a time that is right for them.  

“We've had people make a donation back to the fund and they have volunteered at our event,” said Morey. “It’s also been as simple as a meal or a card.”  

The Pay It Forward Fund partners with the North Memorial Foundation (NMF), which means that 100 percent of donations are used to help those in need. The foundation supports 75 hospital program funds, like the Pay It Forward Fund, while patients receive treatment at North Memorial, Unity, New River and Ridgeview Medical Centers in Minnesota.

The Pay It Forward Fund has received a $100,000 grant from the Minnesota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen three years in a row.

Over the years, money has been raised for the Pay It Forward Fund with casino events and concerts. This year’s casino event netted $228,000.  

Morey and Bissen have also hosted four concerts at their home on Lake Minnetonka. On Sunday, July 31, local artist GB Leighton will present an acoustic performance to attendees. The $55 concert ticket also includes food and beverages.

New this year is a five-mile walk to raise additional money for the Pay It Forward Fund. Walkers will receive a t-shirt, concert ticket and a personalized fundraising page to recruit donations.

Morey, who is cancer free and healthy today, and Bissen hope to have 100 walkers and 175 concert attendees at this year’s event.

The deadline to register for the Pay It Forward Fund five-mile walk and to purchase tickets to the concert is July 22.

For more information about the Pay It Forward Fund, visit www.payitforwardfund.net.