University Medical Center New Orleans receives American Cancer Society grant to help patients overcome transportation barriers

Cancer patients undergoing treatment frequently need help getting to and from facilities, often creating a financial and logistical burden. That’s why the American Cancer Society has awarded a $5,000 transportation grant to University Medical Center’s Cancer Center.

The Cancer Center will use the grant funds to address the transportation needs of cancer patients receiving treatment at University Medical Center.

“Access to transportation is a big problem for many of our patients,” said Mary Davis, RN, Senior Director of the Cancer Center.

“Some patients don’t have access to transportation at all or are too fatigued or sick to drive themselves. Through this grant, we’ll be able to provide patients some needed resources so that getting here or home is one less thing they have to worry about while they’re receiving treatment.”

An estimated 26,280 Louisiana 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 community 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 transportation needs of cancer patients, particularly vulnerable populations experiencing an unequal burden of cancer.

To learn more about the University Medical Center Cancer Center please visit umcno.org/cancer. For additional information about the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.