In 2014, Rhonda Stefanski was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. Our family learned many lessons during that difficult time, including how much financial hardship many cancer patients go through. Though Rhonda lost her battle that November, one of the gifts she left for us is Rhonda’s Kiss.
Rhonda’s Kiss is a 501c(3) that focuses on patients’ non-medical needs. We give grants to partner hospitals to establish patient assistance funds that are focused specifically on cancer patients in need. The patient assistance funds, administered independently by each hospital, help in covering the costs of rent and utilities, wigs, oncology massage, parking, or other transportation costs, as well as any other unexpected cost involved in the holistic care of the patient. Currently, Rhonda’s Kiss has patient assistance funds at Cleveland Clinic (OH, FL), Cedars-Sinai (CA) and City of Hope (CA).