Marie King: a face of hope for many

Marie King likes to put a face to a name.

The 60-year-old oncology financial navigator can do most of her job—researching, making phone calls, handling bills and other paperwork—from her employer’s corporate office in Little Rock, Arkansas. But a few days a week, she makes a point of visiting the Jefferson Regional Jones-Dunklin Cancer Center in Pine Bluff, some 40 minutes away, to meet her patients in person.

“I have to see these faces because the need is so great in that little rural area. They need a face,” she said. “They see that I really care about them and that I’m really concerned. It means so much to them.”

The patients are indeed glad to see Marie. She’s the face behind those phone calls when they first learn they might be eligible for financial aid to help pay for their cancer treatment.

Marie has worked in the oncology space for over 35 years, and more than 20 years in patient assistance. Cancer is personal, as she lost her mom and two brothers to the disease.

Every workday, she looks at the roster of people scheduled to come into the small infusion center, which serves about 30 patients a day. If they’re uninsured, she points them toward a managed care plan or Medicaid, if they qualify. If they’re underinsured, Marie searches for supplemental insurance.

And if the person’s out-of-pocket costs are going to be higher than they can afford, chances are she’s going to hunt for a grant from the PAN Foundation.

I just leave work every day feeling really good that I’ve helped somebody through this journey.”

“The PAN Foundation is my number one go-to place for assistance. If you are not taking advantage of their website, it is a total loss to your patients that need financial assistance,” she said.

Marie has been referring patients to PAN for over ten years. She appreciates that the process for billing claims via fax or the online portal is simple and user-friendly and that someone always picks up the phone when she calls their contact center with a question or concern. With PAN, she can identify a disease fund, apply for a grant with the patient’s consent, and get approval—typically within hours. Soon, financial relief is on the way; it can even cover expenses retroactively for 90 days.

Marie’s role doesn’t end there. She stays in touch with patients throughout their treatment, reminding them to file claims or renew their grants when their eligibility period ends. She also lauds the additional transportation grant available from PAN. “That $500 could make a huge difference because we know gas and transportation costs can be the number one reason why patients miss their appointments,” she pointed out.

Marie has seen it all throughout her long career. With the high cost of chemotherapy, patients often tell her about “deep sacrifices,” such as choosing between food, gas, and healthcare. Some people must sell their homes and move in with their kids to afford their care. These circumstances add stress on top of an already devastating diagnosis.

“[The most rewarding part is] knowing that I have relieved patients from the financial toxicity of treatment so they can relax and concentrate on their care,” Marie said.

The PAN Foundation is my number one go-to place for assistance. If you are not taking advantage of their website, it is a total loss to your patients that need financial assistance.”

She recalls a recent patient whose cancer therapy was going to cost $900 a month out of pocket. “He couldn’t afford it, but I was able to get him a grant through the PAN Foundation and he was able to get his treatment—and he’s doing well. Had he not had that financial assistance, he probably wouldn’t even be here,” she said.

Marie gives her all to her work, in addition to serving as the 2024-25 president of the Little Rock Oncology Nursing Society. But she makes time for self-care too. On the weekends, you might find her bowling with friends, singing in her church choir, or curled up with a book at home.

“When you’re involved in taking care of patients, it can kind of get to you. You’ve got to pull back and just regroup. You have to keep that smile,” she said.

And for many people with cancer in southeast Arkansas, Marie’s smile means relief and hope.

“I just leave work every day feeling really good that I’ve helped somebody through this journey.”