After more than 36 years as an oncologist in Wichita, Dr. Shaker Dakhil founded and organized the Wichita Cancer Foundation with the help of a small board of directors. Too often, Dr. Dakhil saw his patients lose their job as a direct result of their cancer treatments. That left them without a source of income and/or proper health insurance coverage, with bills piling up. After seeing numerous patients struggle to make ends meet during cancer treatment, his vision was to reduce the financial burden cancer patients experience throughout the treatment process.
With many years of planning and preparation, WCF launched in 2015 as a fully qualified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting cancer patients in Sedgwick County. The Foundation provides direct and indirect financial assistance for cancer patients, specifically in the area of health insurance assistance.
The WCF Aid Process
When a cancer patient needs help from WCF to pay their insurance premiums, they follow these six steps:
- Step one: Checking to see if they qualify for services
- Step two: Applying online for help
- Step three: WCF reviews the application
- Step four: WCF verifies insurance
- Step five: WCF emails patient with their decision
- Step six: If approved, WCF will pay the patient’s premium directly to their insurance provider
Amanda’s Story
In 2019, WCF decided to create a video to promote their cause. It told the story of Amanda and her daughters, explaining their journey after she was diagnosed with cancer. McConnell Law Firm donated the videographer costs of We Know Motion to shoot, edit, and produce it.
If you would like to learn more about The Wichita Cancer Foundation, please visit their website. To donate, please fill out this donation form. To find out more about our community involvement and organizations we support, please visit our Community Involvement page.
