Many Families of Children with Leukemia Face Significant Financial Hardship During Treatment

Many families of children with leukemia face significant financial hardship during treatment

Nearly a third of families with children receiving chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) – the most common pediatric cancer – develop serious financial difficulties during their child's treatment, including losing 25% or more of their household income and struggling to cover the costs of basic living expenses such as housing, food, and utilities.

‘Catastrophic’ income loss occurs in nearly a third of families of kids treated for ALL

ORLANDO — During his first year of fellowship, Daniel J. Zheng, MD, MHS, MSHP, sat in clinic waiting for a young child with leukemia scheduled for chemotherapy.As they waited, a nurse navigator messaged Zheng that the patient’s family would not be able to make it.

When a Child Is Treated for ALL, a Family’s Financial Pain Unfolds Over Time, Study Finds

Families of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia face significant financial toxicity, with many experiencing severe economic hardship during treatment.

Families of Children With ALL Face Extreme Financial Toxicity

Nearly one-third of families of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed “catastrophic” financial toxicity during the patient’s treatment.

Catastrophic Income Loss Observed Among Families of Children with ALL

A total of 30.0% and 31.5% of families with children undergoing chemotherapy for ALL experienced household material hardship or catastrophic income loss.

Pediatric Leukemia Treatment Pushes Many Families Into Financial Crisis

About one-third of families with a child undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia experienced catastrophic income loss during therapy, with many developing new material hardships over the two-year course, underscoring the need for ongoing financial screening and support.