The Red Devils

www.the-red-devils.org

History / Background

Each year, nearly 200,000 people in America receive the life-altering diagnosis of breast cancer. In Maryland, more than 4,000 families cope with that reality annually. Founded in 2002, The Red Devils is based in Baltimore whose mission is to fund services that improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients and their families through three program areas:

1.      Treatment transportation

2.      Family support services

3.      Medical costs and treatment-related therapies

The name comes from the nickname for a chemo drug used to treat cancer. It’s called “The Red Devil” because of its color and hellish yet powerful effects on killing cancer cells.

The Red Devils makes an immediate, profound, and relevant impact on families by funding treatment support services that mitigate the barriers families face. While waging a fight for their loved one’s life, families often are battling on a second front as they deal with the multiple threats to their family stability. Among those living with breast cancer, 40% have difficulty paying health care costs, 25% have used up their personal savings, 25% have been contacted by a collection agency, 1/3 have problems affording medications, and 10% have declared bankruptcy. Depending on the individual case, and the type and number of treatments needed, the total cost breast cancer treatment can reach $100,000, on average. For The Red Devil’s target population of low-income families, that amount is paralyzing and insurmountable.

One of Maryland’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan goals is to reduce the morbidity and mortality from breast cancer in Maryland. Among the Plan’s strategies is closing the gap between diagnosis and treatment, especially for at risk populations. The Red Devils supports the Plan’s objective. In conjunction with a network of 31 hospitals and scores of business partners, patients have access to resources to facilitate access to treatment. Hospitals make the referrals. Businesses and organizations provide services. The Red Devils pays the bills. Because they work collaboratively with other nonprofits, hospitals, and businesses, they can make an immediate and relevant impact on the lives of 500 to 800 families annually while maintaining a staff of three (two fulltime equivalents). Informed by quarterly pre-set spending limits, each hospital decides which patients receive support services funding through The Red Devils and their service-providing partners, and coordinates access to that support. After rendering services, business partners invoice The Red Devils. Following a verification process, The Red Devils pays the provider directly. This simple and efficient business model allows them to respond rapidly to a family’s hardship induced by a breast cancer diagnosis and is a hallmark of the esteem they have earned within the breast cancer community.