Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Cancer PALS and how does it help patients?
Cancer PALS, which stands for “Patients Are Loved and Supported,” is a platform that was created to make it easy for patients to ASK for help and make it easy for people to GIVE. It combines the simplicity of a wedding registry with the personalized needs of a patient and a financial tool, into an easy-to-use platform.
2. How Does Cancer PALS Work?
Patients use the Cancer PALS Support RegistryTM as they would any other “registry”. Patients create a list of all items that they need help with (both financial and non-financial help) and post those items on the platform so that everyone who wants to help them has visibility to what the patient needs. Families, friends, and colleagues that are invited by the patient to a private care circle on the Cancer PALS Support Registry, no longer have to guess how they can help, and have options and flexibility in the ways they can provide support. Anyone can join the Cancer PALS Support Registry and have an opportunity to donate directly to patients in need at http://okcprotoncenter.wittforever.com/. Every patient whose registry is public has been verified as a real patient by Oklahoma Proton Center, ensuring that donors can give with confidence. The Cancer PALS Support Registry also provides transparency on what each request is for and facilitates easy transfer of funds to patients. Also, non-profits and providers can identify and refer patients that they believe can benefit from the Cancer PALS Support Registry.
3. I am uncomfortable asking for help. How will this help remove my fear of asking?
While most patients need help, the fear of asking for help usually arises when a patient asks a specific person to do something for them. They don’t want to be a burden or an imposition to the person they are asking, so it is not the asking itself that is the issue, it is the asking a specific person that is the problem. The Cancer PALS platform breaks this dynamic by enabling a patient to ask for the help they need without asking any specific person. Patients can put their asks and needs out to everyone, invite people that want to help them to see what they need help with, and then give the people that want to help the opportunity to decide how much they would like to help. By not asking a specific person to do something for them, but yet giving people who want to help the visibility to help, the Cancer PALS platform takes the fear out of asking.
4. What is the Cancer PALS Support Registry?
The Cancer PALS Support Registry is the name of the platform where a patient creates their “Registry” or list of tasks that they would like help with.
5. What types of things can I ask for help with?
We recognize that patients need both financial (e.g. help with rent, groceries, medication, etc.) and non-financial (e.g. picking up children from daycare, going for a walk, talking, etc.) help. Our platform allows the patient to ask for both types of help. Nothing is too trivial or insignificant to ask for. A patient, with stage 3 anal cancer, who wanted $20 to go get a haircut, but was embarrassed to ask his friends for money. He felt that asking for money for a haircut when he was dealing with cancer, would not be correct. What he did not realize is that there were many people in his support network who were happy to give him the $20 as they realized that mental health was as important to a patient as the treatment itself.
6. Will everyone see everything I need help with?
No. There are needs that a patient will only want certain people they know to help them with. The platform allows the patient to specify which group of people see specific asks.
7. What if I don’t want people to know I have cancer?
The confidential platform allows the patient to determine who they want to invite to support them as they go through treatment. Who you invite to support you, and what you want them to see, is 100% dependent on the patient.
8. Why would people who don’t know me want to help?
There are a lot of people who are either survivors and have dealt with what you are dealing with, or they have been supporters of patients that are going through what you are going through. Most people want to help others in need. The problem has been that they don’t know what patients want help with, because patients won’t tell them. The Cancer PALS platform gives them visibility into what patients need (at a very micro-level) which makes it easier for them to give.
9. How is this different from other sites like CaringBridge or LotsaHelpingHands?
Most of the other sites are focused on helping the caregiver who is supporting the patient. As such they are focused on the needs of the caregiver and the clinician and not necessarily the needs of the patient. The Cancer PALS platform puts the patient at the center of everything we do. We recognize that patients’ needs are different from those of the people that care for them or people who support them. We wanted to give the patient a voice to ask for what THEY needed to help them get through their patient journey.
10. Is there a way I can thank the people that have donated to me?
Yes. The platform has functionality for the patient to send a personalized thank you note to anyone who supports them.
11. Can I share my page with friends and family overseas?
Yes. Patients can receive financial support from people outside of the United States when the donor’s credit card accepts international transactions. All transactions are processed in USD.
12. Are my donations to patients on the Cancer PALS App tax deductible?
Donations that are made directly to patients are not tax deductible for the Donors. Donations that are made to Proton PALS Foundation (a 501(c)3) may be tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor.
13. If I have questions, comments, suggestions for the App – who do I reach out to?
Please email us at [email protected]
14. Can I share this valuable site with my doctors, social network environment, etc.?
Yes.
15. I’m conducting a Relay For Life event this summer – can I order merchandise (hats, shirts, wrist bands, etc.) with the Cancer PALS App logo? Do you have items like this available?
Not at this time but it is something we are working on for the near future.
16. Are there any tips to maximize the help I can get?
Here are some tips that have helped patients: 1. Invite people you know to join your care circle. The more care circle members you have, the more likely your registry requests will be claimed. Give them the OPPORTUNITY to help you. 2. Don’t only put high dollar requests in as a single registry item. The lower the dollar amount, or the more options, the more likely your registry item will be claimed. 3. Use the description field to explain what you need help with in more detail. People connect to the “why”.
17. Who can donate?
Anyone can donate. Please go to https://okcprotoncenter.wittforever.com/anonymous-donor to donate to a verified patient in need.
18. How do I contact Cancer PALS?
Please email us at [email protected]
19. Can I add journaling and pictures?
A patient can add a profile picture. We currently do not have the ability to journal. That is something we will consider in the future.
20. How long do I have to wait to access money that has been donated to me?
It takes 2-3 business days for funds to be transferred to your account, and then you can use your digital or physical card to make purchases. You can also add your card to your digital wallet for convenience.
21. Will I be charged a fee for using the Cancer PALS Platform?
Cancer PALS does not charge a fee for use of the platform and provides an opportunity for donors to make a donation to offset transaction processing costs.
22. Are my donations safe?
We prioritize security, transparency, and trust to ensure that every contribution reaches its intended recipient securely and efficiently. Witt partners with Highnote, a leading financial technology provider, to handle all transaction processing and securely hold user donations. Highnote is a fully regulated financial services provider that adheres to strict compliance and security standards, ensuring that funds are managed safely and transparently
23. Will donations affect my SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Food Stamps or Subsidized housing?
For patients who are receiving payments through Federal or State Programs including but not limited to SSI, Medicaid, Medi-cal, Food stamps, Section 8 and HUD housing please be advised that some of these programs have limitations and restrictions that limit, or do not allow monetary donations through fundraising. We advise you to contact the government program to see how support received on this, and any other platform, affects your eligibility criteria for certain government programs.
24. Do I pay taxes on donations?
Generally, contributions made on Cancer PALS may be considered personal gifts and might not be taxable as income to the recipient. However, you should keep good records of your contributions and consult your tax advisor to ensure there are no tax implications for you.
25. Are donations tax deductible?
Donations to “Proton PALS Foundation” may be tax deductible.
26. What if I lost my debit card?
If you lost your card, contact WiTT immediately to cancel your card and protect your account. You can do this by logging into the Cancer PALS platform at OKCprotoncenter.wittforever.com and locking your card in the Card Activity page anytime day or night. Alternatively, you can reach us during business hours at 1-800-550-1678 or [email protected].
27. Where can I use my debit card to withdraw cash without being charged an ATM fee?
Log into the Cancer PALS app at OKCprotoncenter.wittforever.com and the ATM Locator will show all ATMs in your area you can use for no fee.
28. Can I transfer money to my bank account?
Yes, you may transfer money you receive to your existing bank account. Simply log into the Cancer PALS app and add your bank information to conduct a transfer.
29. Will my money expire?
We don’t want you to lose access to your funds! However, if your account remains inactive for 12 months, it will be closed, and any remaining balance will be forfeited. To keep your account active, simply use your card within a year. Let us know if you need any help!