Kathleen Sutton Fund

Lori knows first-hand the challenges of managing a catastrophic cancer diagnosis and navigating the financialobstacles trying to access critical and necessary treatment. After receiving a dual cancer diagnosis, Lori faced the difficult burden of weighing the price of treatment, travel expenses and basic living costs. Financial barriers can often be the tipping point for many women living in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, & Mason Counties, making life-saving care seem out of reach.

Fortunately, Lori had a friend who referred her to Kathleen Sutton Fund where she connected with client advocates who quickly provided assurance that they could cover travel costs associated with her care. 

Since 2003, KSF has provided thousands of women like Lori with financial assistance so that traveling to receive specialized care isn’t a barrier to essential treatment. With the generous support of hundreds of supporters like you, Kathleen Sutton Fund continues to fulfill our singular mission to reimburse transportation costs for women undergoing treatment for cancer. 

Together, we have:

Twenty years ago Kathleen and her friend Vivi-Ann were on the ferry heading home from Kathleen's weekly chemotherapy appointment in Seattle when they began talking about the idea of being able to help more women with these expenses and today we are so proud to have been able to continue Kathleen's legacy through the continuation and growth of the fund.  That first year (2003), 3 women received reimbursement.  In 2024, 280 women received $153,662 of transportation reimbursement.  Since its inception, KSF has helped over 2,000 women and has reimbursed over $1.2 Million.  

A primary goal of KSF is continued outreach to women and their families facing this dilemma of the cost of reaching treatment, continuing to work, and paying bills. The cure for cancer has not been identified but the need to reach treatment, the cost of transportation to reach that treatment, and the effect of the financial stress has been identified.

If you know of a woman going through treatment, Please refer them to KSF

The Kathleen Sutton Fund (KSF) has a single and simple mission: Reimburse transportation cost for women undergoing treatment for cancer, living in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap & Mason Counties.   

Bit of History:  The fund, a 501(c)(3), began in 2003 as a small, local grassroots organization reimbursing women with breast cancer, living in North Kitsap County.  With the generous support of the community, grants, and annual fundraisers, the Kathleen Sutton Fund (KSF) has expanded to reimbursing women with any type of cancer, while living in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, and Mason counties.  KSF reimburses for ferry fees, mileage, parking, tolls, other transit expenses for client and a companion.  These are costs that are typically not covered by insurance. 

Help the Kathleen Sutton Fund relieve some of that burden, during what is already a difficult time.

Please visit our website to learn more:  www.kathleensutton.org