Cancer brings many practical and financial challenges. The costs of treatment and medication can be very high. Other issues, like finding transportation to and from treatment, can also be difficult to arrange and may add to your stress.
CancerCare Can Help
CancerCare provides limited financial assistance for treatment-related transportation to people affected by cancer. As a nonprofit organization, funding depends on the sources of support we receive at any given time. If we do not currently have funding to assist you, our professional oncology social workers will always work to refer you to other financial assistance resources.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for financial assistance you must:
- Have a diagnosis of cancer confirmed by an oncology health care provider
- Be in active treatment for your cancer
- Live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico
- Meet our eligibility guidelines of 250% of the Federal Poverty Limit
The first step to applying for financial assistance is calling 800-813-HOPE (4673) and speaking with a CancerCare oncology social worker to complete a brief interview. Our Hopeline is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Friday.
Transportation Resources
Here are other organizations that provide transportation resources for individuals affected by cancer.
Air Charity Network
877-621-7177
Air Charity Network serves all 50 states and provides free flights to people in need of medical treatment.
Fisher House Foundation
Fisher House Foundation operates a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. Their Hero Miles program uses donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of ill service members.
Good Days
877-968-7233
Good Days helps patients with chronic medical conditions who have limited financial means with transportation.
Mercy Medical Angels
Mercy Medical Angels provides non-emergency, long-distance ground transportation to financially disadvantaged patients for treatment in the form of gas cards, bus tickets and train tickets. Special assistance for transportation to clinical care is also available for U.S. Military veterans.
National Volunteer Transportation Center
ctaa.org/national-volunteer-transportation-center
212-247-8356
The National Volunteer Transportation Center promotes and supports the concept and practice of volunteer transportation, which includes volunteer driver programs, shared vehicle utilization and ride-sharing initiatives.
Edited by Vilmarie Rodriguez, LCSW