Transportation Resources for Pediatric Cancer Patients

Author: Christina Bach, MBE, LCSW, OSW-C
Last Reviewed: August 21, 2024

Are you having trouble getting to your child's treatment center?

  • Talk with the social worker in your cancer center about local transportation resources for people with cancer.
  • Your cancer center may have a local van service available.
  • Local cancer service organizations may provide transportation assistance or reimbursements.
  • Your local Ronald McDonald House may provide shuttle transportation to and from the house and the treatment center (if you are staying at the house).

Alex's Lemonade Stand: Travel Fund

  • Applications must be initiated by a certified healthcare professional.
  • Covers:
    • Travel: Airline tickets, gas cards, rail tickets, cab or parking vouchers.
    • Lodging: Hotels & philanthropic housing.
    • Meals: Food vouchers from the hospital's on-site cafeteria and local area restaurants.
  • Patients under 21 and in active treatment for cancer are potentially eligible.
  • Families must be receiving cancer treatment at a “partner facility”.
  • Learn more on their website: http://www.alexslemonade.org/travel-fund

Lymphoma Research Foundation Financial Assistance Program

Mercy Medical Healing

  • Provides gas cards, commercial ground transportation (AMTRAK, Greyhound, Trailways, etc.), and volunteer drivers.
  • Requires:
    • Scheduled medical appointment.
    • Clearance by a physician to travel.
    • Verifiable financial need.
    • Foundation prefers 7 days notification of transportation needs.
    • To apply for assistance visit: https://angelwheels.org or call 1-800-768-0238.

Angel Flight

Patient Airlift Services (PALS)

  • Provides free air transportation to individuals and families who need to travel to receive treatment but cannot afford to fly commercially.
  • Patients must be ambulatory and able to sit upright
  • Primarily services the Greater Northeast region of the US: Virginia to Maine and Ohio to Massachusetts
  • http://www.palservices.org

Compass to Care

  • Schedules and pays for transportation to treatment centers.
  • Must be under 18, travel more than 60 miles for treatment, and demonstrate financial need.
  • www.compasstocare.org

The National Children’s Cancer Society: Transportation Assistance Fund

  • Provides financial assistance for transportation costs associated with pediatric cancer treatment.
  • The child must be diagnosed on or before their 18th birthday.
  • The child must be a US citizen or reside in the US.
  • The family must demonstrate financial hardship.
  • https://www.thenccs.org/financial-assistance

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

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