Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation Receives American Cancer Society Grant to Help Patients Overcome Transportation Barriers - Archived

Lexington, Ky. (January 14, 2019) – 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 has awarded a transportation grant to Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation. These funds will be used to address the transportation needs of cancer patients traveling to Lexington for treatment.

An estimated 25,990 Kentucky 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 community 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 transportation 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 Kelsey Lewis, Mission Delivery Program Manager, American Cancer Society “The Society collaborates with community health partners to reach individuals in areas with higher burdens of cancer and limited or no access to transportation because even the best treatment can’t work if a patient can’t get there.”

Julie Steffey, MSW, CSW, OSW-C, Manager, Oncology Support Services, Saint Joseph East, said the Transportation Services Grant from the American Cancer Society will provide critical access to care for many vulnerable patients.

“Transportation to chemotherapy and radiation treatment is the most frequent and significant barrier to care identified by the patients and families served by KentuckyOne Health Cancer Care Lexington,” Steffey said. “The financial burden of cancer coupled with the logistical challenge of frequent travel from rural areas leaves access gaps for some of our most vulnerable populations. The Transportation Grant provided by the American Cancer Society enables our support service team to answer these unmet transportation needs in a timely, effective way to insure equal access, continuity of care, compliance to treatment, and better outcomes toward our mission to bring wellness, healing and hope to all.”

For additional information about the American Cancer Society, call 1.800.227.2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

About American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org.

About Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation
Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation supports KentuckyOne Health’s drive for excellence by inspiring donors to make a tangible difference through their philanthropic investment in outstanding patient care facilities and services, the education of caregivers, advanced clinical research and improved access to quality medical care.

About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health, part of Catholic Health Initiatives, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and includes hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies. KentuckyOne Health is dedicated to bringing wellness, healing and hope to all, including the underserved.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For More Information/KentuckyOne Health:
Mary Branham, Director, Communications
P: 859.313.2642
[email protected] 

For more information/American Cancer Society:
Kelsey Lewis
859.260.8285
[email protected]