News

Cancer patients undergoing treatment frequently require assistance getting to and from facilities, often creating a financial and logistical burden. That’s why the American Cancer Society (ACS) has awarded a Patient Transportation Grant to INTEGRIS Health. These funds will be used to address access-to-care needs of cancer patients in Oklahoma City and ultimately help save lives. 

An estimated 23,700 Oklahoma 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 Anthony Wilson, Senior Program Manager Cancer Support. “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 Phil Lance, the director of the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute. “Transportation programs are vital for these patients to get the treatments they need and deserve.”

For additional information about the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.