Finding Help for Cancer Treatment Transportation

Many cancer patients have trouble traveling to and from their cancer treatment   because chemotherapy or radiation side effects and complications makes them too weak.

Transportation services are available in many communities and, although the vary, are usually one of these three types:

• Low Cost van services run by community agencies and some hospitals

• Volunteer transportation services (where someone will drive you in their car) run by local religious groups and nonprofits.

• Private transportation services (car services and taxis) the cost of which may be covered by some nonprofits, religious groups or insurance companies.

Tips to Find Help with Transportation

• Start with family and friends ~ often they want to help out and this is something concrete they can take turns doing.

• Check with your hospital ~ to see if they have a van service for people coming as outpatients (not admitted to the hospital) for radiation or chemotherapy. Or check to see if you can to arrange to carpool with other other patients.

• Contact your local  social services government office to see if they provide free or low cost transportation on a public transit system for elderly or disabled individuals (sometimes called "paratransit").

• Check with your community agencies, like the YMCA, the YWCA, Catholic Charities, Area Agency on Aging, United Way, fraternal orders or local churches.

• Paying for public transportation (taxis, ambulettes and car services) may be your only option. This can be expensive, so don't hesitate to shop around.  I was able to speak to a supervisor and his manager and after explaining my situation they agreed to a discount rate for regular use.

About The Author: Wilma Ariza is the Founder and Development Director of Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund a Project of United Charitable Programs Inc., a 501(c)(3) Public Charity Tax ID 20-4286082 Progam 102442. In 2008 her daughter Stevie JoEllie was diagnosed with State II Follicular Thyroid Cancer a few weeks after her 21st Birthday and has "survived" two thyroid cancer recurrences. Learn More About Wilma