A Summer of Giving

“Check on your neighbors” is a familiar refrain during the summer – a time when relentless, searing heat and devastating storms leave many Americans vulnerable to potentially life-altering events.

The concept of caring for our neighbors, our friends, and even people we don’t know personally, is at the heart of the HealthWell Foundation’s vision – that no patient goes without health care because they cannot afford it. That is why we are dedicated to reducing financial barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases.

We are honored to help the tens of thousands of families who reach out to us each year, and we are thankful for the generosity of our corporate and individual donors who allow us to assist patients in need.

We are also thankful for our dedicated employees who always put patients first in everything they do. Not only do they operate at the highest levels of integrity and ethics, but they are incredibly generous as well, as evidenced by our recent “Pies for Peds” fundraiser at our annual employee picnic.

For the second year in a row, brave members of our staff faced off for the chance to get “pie’d” at the picnic – based on who raised the most employee donations to our Pediatric Assistance Fund. Congratulations to our top team fundraiser, Director of Data and Evaluation, Samuel Sappor, pictured here, and to all of our employees for helping us raise $3,362 for children in need.

Read on to learn more about what HealthWell has been up to recently.

Our Newest Milestone: Assisting Over Half a Million People Living with Cancer

Earlier this summer, we were proud to announce that we had reached yet another critical milestone in our mission to help America’s underinsured. We were honored to share that, since 2004, we have assisted more than half a million people living with cancer. Through our robust portfolio of more than 40 oncology funds, we awarded over 760,000 grants totaling more than $2.6 billion in financial assistance. At HealthWell, we understand that people living with cancer oftentimes need more than just medication assistance. That’s why we have special initiative programs to help oncology patients with behavioral health conditions related to their cancer diagnosis and also offer hope and help to oncology caregivers. Read the full news announcement to learn more about our commitment to assisting oncology patients and their caregivers.

Conference Connections

In late spring, HealthWell showcased our robust portfolio of 40+ oncology funds at the 2026 ASCO® (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Annual Meeting and the AOSW (Association of Oncology Social Work) Annual Conference. At both meetings, our team met with oncology providers and advocates to talk about the assistance we provide to help patients cover medication copayments, insurance premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs for essential treatments.

In September, you’ll find us at the Healthcare Advocate Summit, the premier event for anyone involved in patient access, navigation, reimbursement, and advocacy. In addition to serving as Presenting Sponsor of the Summit, HealthWell will participate in two panel discussions on the Main Stage. HealthWell Chief Operations Officer, Fred Larbi, will moderate Multidisciplinary Navigation Across the Patient Journey: Identifying Gaps in Total Patient Care, on Thursday, September 10 at 9:30 a.m. He also will participate as a panelist in the session, Technology & Tools: Implementing Your Feedback to Reduce Friction in the Enrollment Process, at 2:00 p.m. that day. If you are planning to attend the Summit, please stop by booth #203 to meet the team and learn how we can work together to assist more patients in need. Learn more.

You can also find us at the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy’s inSPire 2026, the can’t miss specialty pharmacy event of the year, in September. Here, Michael S. Heimall, FACHE, HealthWell President & CEO, will take center stage as moderator of the much-anticipated session, From Policy to the Pharmacy Counter: Navigating Patient Assistance in an Era of Legislative Shifts and Rising Costs.

Visit our Conference Schedule to see where you can meet up with HealthWell next. We look forward to seeing you!

Webinar Alert! Essential Patient Navigation Tools and Tips for All Health Care Settings

The second webinar in our Financial Toxicity & Patient Navigation: A Solutions-Focused Webinar Series is now available on demand. The webinar focuses on patient navigation strategies, including maximizing health insurance benefits and overcoming common barriers to care. Moderated by HealthWell President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael S. Heimall, the webinar features expert insights and advice from:

• Dan Sherman, Financial Navigator, Founder and President, NaVectis Group
• Sally Werner, RN, BSN, MSHA, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Support Community
• Melissa Paige, CPHT, President, National Association of Medication Access & Patient Advocacy
• Tori Watkins, PharmD, BCACP, CPP, Pharmacist-in-Charge, Sona Pharmacy + Clinic

Click here to learn more about our webinar series, view on-demand sessions, and register for upcoming events. And don’t forget to check out our companion blog series at Real World Health Care, where we provide deep-dive insights into what’s working in patient navigation.

HealthWell in the News: Cancer Health

HealthWell was honored to be featured in the Summer 2026 issue of Cancer Health, which provides accessible information about prevention, treatment, and quality of life for people living with cancer and their loved ones.

The issue recognized Michael King, Program Director of HWF Direct, as one of 25 inspiring people helping cancer patients and fighting financial health inequities. King oversees operations and customer experience to ensure that each person that calls into our contact center receives compassionate, compliant, and completely satisfactory assistance.

The issue also profiled Carolyn, a grateful recipient of a HealthWell Multiple Myeloma – Medicare Access grant. She relates how her grant has allowed her to focus on her health and family instead of stressing about money.

“With This Monthly Check From HealthWell, I Can Afford the Copays on My Medications.”

Kathy P., a Myelodysplastic Syndromes – Medicare Access Fund grant recipient, shares how a devastating diagnosis changed her life and how HealthWell has offered her a sense of relief.

“Prior to the diagnosis, I was a practicing nurse who’d spent my years working in ICU, Pediatrics, and most recently transferred into Mental Health. Six years earlier, I’d also pursued a counseling degree and had a job working in a treatment center with recovering alcoholics and addicts. I was working two jobs, wonderful jobs, and doing what I loved most.

With the diagnosis of cancer, both of my jobs immediately ceased. Losing my jobs was very hard to take. Entering into chemotherapy was demanding, taxing, and required a lot of medical care, including hospitalizations and transitional care.

I had zero income and was without a plan. What became immediately evident was that I couldn’t pay my rent and would soon be homeless. The diagnosis of cancer was a stress all unto itself. But the stress of financial devastation that followed was even worse.

With the help of so many compassionate people, I began to receive the help I badly needed. I was amazed at the outpouring of care, love and financial resources that were available to cancer survivors like me. I am blessed by those who give their resources, time and energy to those experiencing cancer.

Through a social worker at my clinic, I was connected with HealthWell. I was amazed I qualified for help, and more amazed I actually started to receive funding. I’m the recipient of money that pays for my Medicare policy. With this monthly check from HealthWell, I can afford the copays on my medications and I can buy groceries! Finding the check in the mail is always followed by a sense of relief.

Thank you, HealthWell. And thank you to all the individuals who make this possible.”

A Heartfelt Shoutout

May was Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month and HealthWell was surprised and humbled to receive a video shoutout from Zack D., who along with his wife Farrel, received HealthWell grants that help with the cost of their Cystic Fibrosis treatments and their vitamins and supplements.

This Summer, Talk To Your Financial Advisor About Non-Cash Gifts

It’s never too early to start planning for tax season. Thanks to our partnership with FreeWill, making non-cash donations to the HealthWell Foundation has never been easier!

Donating non-cash assets (such as Donor Advised Funds, gifts of stock, and Qualified Charitable Distributions) often comes with greater tax benefits, increasing the overall value of your contribution while making a sizable impact on our mission.

FreeWill’s platform is secure and encrypted. They never ask for or store sensitive financial information.

For more information, please download our free smart gifts brochure. Feel free to share this document with your financial advisor to maximize your tax benefits!

Questions? Please reach out to Abby Pevey, Senior Manager, Individual Giving & Development.

Thank you for your continued generosity and support of our life-changing mission!

Candid. Platinum Seal of Transparency

For the 9^th year in a row, HealthWell earned A Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid. Get updates on our impact through our Candid Nonprofit Profile.

Help Us Spread the Word

When people learn about HealthWell, they are spurred to action – whether it’s a new patient or caregiver who reaches out to us for assistance or a generous individual who honors the work we do with a donation.

That’s why helping us spread the word about HealthWell is a critical and highly valued contribution. Here are just a few ideas of how you can help us communicate about the life-changing work we do:

1. Create a Facebook fundraiser to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion.
2. Share your HealthWell story with others.
3. Connect with HealthWell on our social channels through the links below.

Thank You for Helping Us Help Others in Any Way You Can