Kettering Health has been awarded a $15,000 grant to help cancer patients get to their appointments. Under the grant, Kettering Health Cancer Care will provide transportation assistance for patients who need it. These funds ensure patients can get to and from their appointments and receive the care they need.

Assistance may include gas cards, bus passes, or cab fares.

Every year, 3.6 million people in the United States miss medical care due to transportation issues. These issues may include lack of vehicle access, long distances, and lengthy times to reach needed services.

“Patients at times delay or cancel important treatment appointments due to lack of transportation,” says Kenneth Chaij, executive director of Oncology Services at Kettering Health. “Because of the support from the American Cancer Society, our Kettering Health Cancer Care team can arrange and pay for transportation to ensure the patients are able to easily access the care and treatments they need.”

Kettering Health Cancer Care social workers have assisted over 20 patients with rides since receiving funding on September 22. They will continue assisting through December 31, 2021, when the grant ends.

“American Cancer Society patient support services—such as these transportation grants—fill critical cancer gaps and are aligned to the American Cancer Society goal of improving lives of patients and their families,” said Kathy Goss, Ph.D., regional vice president of Cancer Control at the American Cancer Society. “The newly awarded grant funding provides a boost of support to help address currently unmet needs in the Greater Dayton area.”