The Saint Francis Foundation has received a $10,000 grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS) to provide transportation for cancer patients in need. The grant will underwrite gas cards and car service rides for eligible patients who face transportation barriers to attend cancer-related appointments currently through March 2023.
Liz Glastetter, RN, BSN, MBA, Service Line Director of Cancer Services for Saint Francis Healthcare System, acknowledges the need for funding.
“One of the greatest barriers to accessing cancer treatment in our region is lack of transportation and financial toxicity with being able to access transportation. We are pleased to collaborate with the American Cancer Society to remove transportation barriers so our patients can focus on their health, healing and, ultimately, remission.”
The grant comes at an ideal time as the pandemic has started to wind down, and those patients who delayed life-saving screenings due to the parameters surrounding the pandemic can now begin to safely resume taking preventative measures in the form of scheduled screenings.
For those battling cancer, the ACS wants to create a level playing field.
“Disparities predominantly arise from inequities in work, wealth, income, education, housing and overall standard of living, as well as social barriers to high-quality cancer prevention, early detection and treatment services,” said Angie Rolle, Vice President, ACS Regional Cancer Control. “Transportation programs are vital to help patients get the treatments they need and deserve.”
The Saint Francis Cancer Institute is the region’s only Comprehensive Community Cancer Program accredited by the Commission on Cancer. The Cancer Institute offers comprehensive oncology services for the treatment of many types of cancer, and our skilled oncologists and surgeons are recognized experts in cancer care.
For more information, visit sfmc.net/cancer.
