Andrea’s Foundation
Direct Support. Real Relief. Lasting Hope.
The Andrea Grace Soter-Simonson Memorial Foundation provides direct financial assistance and access to resources to families challenged by cancer in Ventura County.
TESTIMONIALS
Meaningful Impact
Since 2008, Andrea’s Foundation has delivered financial support to families challenged by cancer. These grants help cover urgent needs from basic living expenses to treatment-related costs so cancer patients can focus on healing.
TESTIMONIALS
Meaningful Impact
STATEMENTS OF NEED
Our Contributions
Help Create Real Relief
A cancer diagnosis affects every part of a person’s life, not just their health, but their ability to work, provide for their family, and maintain basic stability. For many of the individuals and families we serve, treatment comes with overwhelming financial pressure, especially as everyday expenses continue to rise.
We consistently see applicants navigating advanced-stage diagnoses, often while facing reduced or lost income. Many are forced to choose between paying for essentials like food, utilities, and housing, or keeping up with the demands of treatment. Even with insurance, out-of-pocket costs and non-covered needs can quickly become unmanageable.
Beyond medical expenses, families frequently struggle with:
- Basic daily living costs such as groceries and utilities
- Transportation to and from treatment appointments
- Housing stability during prolonged illness
- Nutritional needs that support recovery but are not covered by assistance programs
These challenges are often compounded for individuals from underserved communities, including seniors, children, agricultural workers, and those without stable housing or support systems.
Andrea’s Foundation exists to help fill these gaps, providing direct, immediate relief so families can focus on healing rather than financial survival.
Behind every application is a person doing their best to navigate uncertainty, maintain dignity, and care for themselves or their loved ones. The need is not one-time or isolated. It is ongoing, complex, and deeply human.
By responding to these needs, we help ensure that no one in our community has to face cancer alone.
Veronica
Veronica has been battling breast cancer for over a decade. Last year, she was diagnosed with metastatic cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. The stress of the diagnosis resulted in the termination of her marriage. She is suffering from stress and depression because of the uncertainty of her future.
Andrea’s Foundation provided Veronica with a grant to cover her medical bills and give her hope in these challenging times.
Briana
Briana has brain cancer. She and her husband have 6 children — 3 of them are under 5 years old. Because of her treatment, she will be unable to work for nearly two months. With the financial pressure of treatment and caring for her family, Briana asked for assistance paying utilities for fear they would be turned off.
Andrea’s Foundation gave Briana a grant to pay for her family’s utility bills.
Daniel
Daniel is single and lives on his own. He has also been diagnosed with prostate cancer. While he undergoes chemotherapy, he is unable to work and therefore has no income. He asked Andrea’s Foundation for assistance with daily living expenses, including utilities, car insurance, personal needs, phone, and mortgage payments.
Andrea’s Foundation showed up — providing a grant that Daniel can use to cover his basic living expenses while he fights his cancer battle.
Kailee
Kailee is a young single woman with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Her chemotherapy treatments will last 6 months, and she is unable to work while she receives treatment. Kailee asked for help with her living expenses, car payment, and student loans.
Reality doesn’t stop when you have cancer. Andrea’s Foundation provided Kailee with a grant to cover her expenses while she receives treatment.
OUR PROGRAMS & FUNDS
Supporting Families Challenged by Cancer in Ventura County
Bountiful Blessings
Each year, Andrea’s Foundation provides Thanksgiving meal cards to the oncology patients at Ventura County Medical Center.
Hope for the Holidays
Andrea’s Foundation collaborates with a local business to provide Christmas tree decorations and gift cards to our grant recipients during the holidays.
Relief in Reach
Our ongoing Relief in Reach program includes a fund for helping our grant recipients with daily living expenses, including gift cards for gas, groceries, and necessities. It also includes access to other local organizations that provide support with housing, food, cancer support, wigs, and more.
Medical Costs Fund
Financial assistance is provided to help families manage expenses such as treatments, medications, co-pays, and specialist visits. Your donation helps ease the financial strain so patients can focus on their health and recovery.
Cost of Living Fund
Cancer impacts every aspect of daily life. Our grants help cover urgent needs like rent, utilities, and transportation during treatment, offering stability during times of uncertainty.
Food Fund
Access to nutritious food is essential during cancer treatment. We help families cover grocery and meal costs so patients can maintain proper nutrition and strength throughout appointments, treatments, and recovery without added financial stress.
Learn more about our programs and funds.
Our programs and funds address the specific needs of the cancer patients in our community.
OUR TEAM
Leadership & Board of Directors
Pat Perrine, MBA
Executive Director
Clifton Simonson
President
Andrea’s Husband
Olivia Simonson, Esq.
Vice President
Andrea’s Daughter
Christian Simonson
Andrea’s Son
Mark Patterson, PhD
Dr. Dean Smith, MD
Nicholas Sullivan, Esq.
Ann Drescher
.
Curtis Warn
Claire Jenks
.
David Chatfield, Esq.
Terrie Longo
.
Darlene Compton
ANNUAL REPORT 2024
