About Beyond Pink Ribbons

Beyond Pink Ribbons is a survivor-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by breast cancer survivor Tammy Casteel.

We provide financial assistance to individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment, helping with expenses such as utilities, medications, transportation, insurance premiums, and other essential living costs.

Because cancer doesn’t stop the bills.

This isn’t awareness. This is action.

Our Mission:

Beyond Pink Ribbons exists to ease the financial burden of breast cancer treatment by providing direct assistance for essential living expenses while offering support, encouragement, and community. We believe no one should have to choose between healing and paying the bills, and no one should face breast cancer alone.

Our Vision:

We envision a future where every person diagnosed with breast cancer has access to the financial support, resources, and compassionate community they need to focus on healing, treatment, and survivorship without the added burden of financial hardship.

Tammy Casteel

Tammy Casteel is the founder of Beyond Pink Ribbons, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting people emotionally and financially beyond a breast cancer diagnosis.

After years of proactive screenings, Tammy faced her own diagnosis and underwent a double mastectomy. She later made the deeply personal decision to remain flat, choosing an aesthetic flat closure that aligned with her body and her life.

Her journey reshaped not only her body, but also her understanding of identity, resilience, and self-advocacy. Tammy believes surviving cancer is only part of the story. Rebuilding confidence, community, and purpose afterward matters just as much.

What began as a personal choice rooted in autonomy grew into a mission. Through Beyond Pink Ribbons, Tammy organizes events, builds community, and provides tangible support to people navigating the real-life financial and emotional weight of treatment and recovery.

She is also the creator of the Flat On Purpose™ brand, a platform centered on informed choice, body autonomy, and visibility for people who choose to remain flat after mastectomy. Tammy is the author of Flat On Purpose: Choosing Myself After Breast Cancer and other books created to encourage honest conversations, confidence, and healing beyond diagnosis.

Tammy’s mission is simple: no one should feel alone in this journey, and every person deserves the freedom to choose what feels right for their body and their life.

Karen Fussner

Karen Fussner plays an important role in the heart and day-to-day work of Beyond Pink Ribbons. Through her dedication to the organization, she provides financial coordination, organizational support, and the behind-the-scenes help that allows the mission to continue growing and reaching individuals facing breast cancer.

Karen understands that supporting someone through cancer goes far beyond treatment. Bills still have to be paid, families still have to be cared for, and everyday life doesn't stop because of a diagnosis. She shares Beyond Pink Ribbons' belief that sometimes the most meaningful support is simply helping ease one of those burdens.

Much of Karen's work happens quietly behind the scenes. She helps keep the organization organized, assists with the financial side of the nonprofit, and supports the work necessary to make sure assistance reaches the people who need it.

But Karen's contribution is about more than numbers and organization. She brings compassion, dependability, and a genuine belief in the mission of Beyond Pink Ribbons.

Together, we believe no one facing breast cancer should have to worry about choosing between fighting for their health and meeting life's basic needs.

APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Breast Cancer Financial Assistance Program

Beyond Pink Ribbons provides financial assistance for basic living and healthcare-related expenses to eligible individuals undergoing active breast cancer treatment.

Assistance is available once per calendar year and is based on eligibility, individual need, available funding, and the financial resources of Beyond Pink Ribbons at the time of application.

Our goal is simple: to help ease some of the financial burden that can come with breast cancer treatment so patients can focus more on their health and healing.

Who Qualifies?

Applicants must be in active treatment for breast cancer at the time of application.

For the purposes of our assistance program, active treatment may include the period following a confirmed breast cancer diagnosis while an individual is undergoing treatment such as:

Breast cancer surgery, including mastectomy or lumpectomy
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Other qualifying treatment related to an active breast cancer diagnosis

Long-term maintenance or hormonal therapy alone and breast reconstruction procedures are not considered active treatment for purposes of this program.

Applicants must provide documentation confirming a current breast cancer diagnosis and active treatment, along with a completed Beyond Pink Ribbons Financial Assistance Application and any other requested documentation.

Beyond Pink Ribbons is not an emergency assistance program and cannot guarantee immediate assistance.

How Financial Assistance Works

Approved applicants do not receive funds directly.

Beyond Pink Ribbons makes approved payments directly to the appropriate company, provider, landlord, creditor, or other qualifying service provider.

Eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to:

Rent or mortgage
Utilities
Car payments
Car insurance
Health insurance premiums
Medical bills and co-payments
Prescription medications
Medical supplies
Other qualifying essential living or healthcare expenses

The type and level of assistance provided are determined individually and are based on demonstrated need, eligibility, available funding, and program resources.

Submitting an application does not guarantee approval or financial assistance. Beyond Pink Ribbons reserves the right to determine which expenses qualify for assistance.

Bills that have already been placed into collections may not qualify for payment.

By submitting an application, applicants certify that all information and documentation provided is accurate and truthful to the best of their knowledge. Providing false or misleading information may result in disqualification from the program.

Our Commitment

Beyond Pink Ribbons is committed to providing assistance without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.

beyond pink ribbons provides financial support to help meet basic needs and allow breast cancer patients in active treatment to focus on healing while improving. Our financial assistance program allows us to meet their critical expenses for rent, mortgage, car payment, utilities, medication, and co-pays.

A breast cancer diagnosis can have significant financial implications for patients and their families. The costs associated with treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and medications, can be substantial. Additionally, many patients may experience a loss of income due to being unable to work during treatment or needing to take time off for recovery.

These financial challenges can lead to stress, anxiety, and even financial hardship for patients and their families. It may require them to use savings, borrow money, or seek financial assistance to cover medical expenses and daily living costs.

Apply For Assistance

BEYOND PINK RIBBONS
Beyond Awareness. Into Action.

Created to provide real, practical support to those facing breast cancer.

Beyond Pink Ribbons is committed to helping ease the financial burdens that can come with a breast cancer diagnosis—because support should go beyond the pink ribbon.

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