The American Cancer Society recently awarded $10,000 to the McLeodHealth Foundation to provide transportation assistance to patients with cancer during treatment. The grant is part of a nationwide investment of $9 million that is expected to provide nearly 63,000 eligible patients with nearly $800,000 in transportation and lodging services.
“We are pleased to accept this award and to continue our years-long partnership with the American Cancer Society,” says Elizabeth Jones, the McLeod Health Foundation’s Executive Director. “These funds will greatly assist our Helping Oncology Patients Everyday (HOPE) Fund accomplish its mission to provide patients with what they need to access and stay in treatment.”
The McLeod Foundation was established in 1986 as an independent not for profit tax exempt charitable organization whose mission is to generate philanthropic and community support to perpetuate medical excellence at McLeod Health. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Foundation has raised more than $100 million and has provided support for numerous programs at McLeod Health. These programs include support for the McLeod Children’s Hospital, The Guest House at McLeod, McLeod Hospice, the McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research, McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute and McLeod Diabetes Services, just to name a few. Simply put the Foundation funds better health for thousands of families throughout Northeastern South Carolina and Southeastern North Carolina. Separately chartered, the McLeod Health Foundation is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees. Gifts to the McLeod Foundation are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law and 100 percent of every gift received goes directly to the area it is designated.
Access to high-quality cancer treatment impacts cancer outcomes. A lack of the transportation and lodging needed to receive quality care can lead to missed appointments, treatment interruptions, and delays in follow up care. In a 2023 Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) study, American Cancer Society researchers found that delayed care due to lack of transportation is associated with increased emergency room use and mortality risk among adults with and without cancer history.
“Transportation obstacles or the cost of a hotel room should not be barriers that determine the survival of those needing cancer treatment,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society. “Partnering with health systems and organizations across the country to provide funding to deliver the direct assistance needed helps to fill these equity gaps and improves cancer outcomes.”
The American Cancer Society believes all people should have a fair and just opportunity to live a longer, healthier life free from cancer regardless of how much money they make, skin color, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or where they live. In addition to providing transportation and lodging funding to health systems and organizations, the American Cancer Society runs a Road To Recovery program that provides free rides to and from treatment and over 30 Hope Lodge communities that provide a free place to stay during treatment.
The American Cancer Society Awards $10,000 to the McLeod Health Foundation to Provide Transportation to Patients During Cancer Treatment
