Birmingham, AL – April 8, 2022 – Cancer patients undergoing treatment frequently require assistance getting to and from facilities, often creating a financial and logistical burden. That is why the American Cancer Society (ACS) has awarded a Patient Transportation Grant to the Alabama Oncology Foundation. These grants are available to health systems, treatment centers and community organizations in select communities through an application process, and they focus on addressing unmet transportation needs of cancer patients, particularly vulnerable populations experiencing an unequal burden of cancer. These funds will be used to address access-to-care needs of cancer patients in central Alabamaand ultimately help save lives.
An estimated 30,210Alabama residents will learn they have cancer this year and getting to their scheduled treatment may be one of their greatest roadblocks. To help patients get the critical care they need, American Cancer Society’s Patient Transportation Grants are awarded at a local level to health systems, treatment centers, and community organizations. These grants are available in select communities through an application process and focus on addressing unmet access-to-care needs of cancer patients, particularly vulnerable populations experiencing an unequal burden of cancer.
“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 Melissa Horn, Senior Director, Cancer Control Program Management ,American Cancer Society “ACS collaborates with community health partners to reach individuals in areas with higher burdens of cancer with little to no access to transportation because even the best treatment can’t work if a patient can’t get there.”
“Some patients don’t have access to transportation at all or are too fatigued or sick to drive themselves,” said Chris Barnes, Executive Director, Alabama Oncology “Access to care is a big problem in our country with low income, people of color, and those living in rural communities suffering the most from disparities. Transportation programs are vital for these patients to get the treatments they need and deserve. The ACS patient transportation grant will help support the mission of the Alabama Oncology Foundation to Help Oncology Patients Excel. We are honored to partner with the ACS to help cancer patients in central Alabama and to improve health outcomes.”
About The American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. We invest in lifesaving research, provide 24/7 information and support, and work to ensure that individuals in every community have access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. For more information, visit cancer.org.
About The Alabama Oncology Foundation
The Alabama Oncology Foundation is committed to improving the lives of patients and families throughout central Alabama through supportive services and resources to ease the burdens faced by those fighting cancer.
For additional information about the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
For additional information about the Alabama Oncology Foundation, please visit aocares.org.