Need of the Month: Gas Cards
Imagine you‘ve just been told you have cancer. Treatment includes doctor visits and treatment appointments five days a week. But you live 30 miles away and are on a limited income. You mind races to the financial barriers to treatment, including how you are going to pay the travel expenses. That is the dilemma facing many cancer patients in northwest Georgia.
During this difficult time, Cancer Navigators is able to help relieve some of the financial burden for those who qualify for travel expense assistance. The not-for-profit provides 80 percent of its patients with gas cards or public transportation vouchers making it possible for them to make their treatment appointments.
The demand is high. The number of patients who qualify for assistance is more than the gas cards available. Some patients are anxiously waiting to see if they will be able to buy groceries and still make it to their chemotherapy treatment.
“If we had a gas pump outside our building, that would not be enough to help all the patients we serve who are in need of this service,” explained Scharla Battle Community Outreach Manger at Cancer Navigators.
Patients living in the Rome city limits without transportation are often provided bus vouchers for public transportation. One $22 voucher provides 10 rides.
How You Can Help
Give online today! Donations of gas cards and Rome Transit vouchers are also a way to donate. The cards are typically given in amounts of $25-50, but any amount is welcome.
For additional information, contact Cancer Navigators at 706.295.4119.