NORWAY — The Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine (CRCofWM) announced that it has received a two-year travel grant, totaling $40,000, from the Maine Cancer Foundation, to help cancer patients in western Maine get to their cancer treatments and medical appointments.
Transportation access and cost is a barrier to health for many residents living in rural western Maine. It has far more serious consequences for cancer patients needing radiation treatments, as they are facing a daily roundtrip of 100+ miles- often for a 5-6 week period. The financial burden of a cancer diagnosis forces patients and their families to reallocate household budgets to accommodate this additional unbudgeted travel expense. Because of the sprawling landscape and lack of public transportation in western Maine, many cancer patients must rely on family or friends to drive them to their treatments.
“We are very grateful to the Maine Cancer Foundation for this generous support,” said Diane Madden, Executive Director of the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine. This grant allows us to provide travel assistance in the form of a gas card, which is the most convenient method.”
“Maine Cancer Foundation is dedicated to reducing cancer in our state and ensuring all Mainers, regardless of where they live, have access to their cancer care,” said Katelyn Michaud, MCF’s director of grantmaking. “We are proud to support the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine in providing transportation assistance to cancer patients throughout western Maine.”
To learn more about the eligibility criteria to receive travel assistance, email info@crcofwm.org or call (207) 890-0329.
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