Staff reports
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently awarded the Beaufort Memorial Foundation with a $4,500 grant to provide transportation aid to patients receiving cancer treatment, according to a media release from Beaufort Memorial.
This grant is a part of a nationwide investment of $9 million that is expected to provide nearly 60,000 eligible patients with transportation and lodging services. This is the fourth year that the Foundation has received this grant from the ACS.
“Access to care is a critical part of achieving better health outcomes in our community,” said Kim Yawn, Beaufort Memorial Foundation Chief Development Officer. “This grant and the continued support from the American Cancer Society allows us to directly address transportation challenges that can lead to missed appointments or delayed treatment, helping our patients receive the care they need.”
Gas cards purchased by the Foundation will be distributed to eligible Beaufort Memorial patients who qualify for transportation-related financial aid and will be distributed based on the frequency of their appointments and the required distance of travel.
Access to high-quality oncology treatment directly impacts health outcomes, and patients who lack the transportation and lodging needed to receive quality care can often experience missed appointments, treatment interruptions and delays in follow-up care.
In 2023, a study by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showed 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 ACS. “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.
”Since 2021, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $50 million in transportation and lodging grants to health system partners across the country. By the end of 2027, this investment is expected to provide more than 370,000 patients with over 4.3 million transportation and lodging service