FARGO, N.D. – The Essentia Health-Fargo Foundation receives $30,000 in grants from the American Cancer Society to help people going through cancer treatment.
Twenty thousand dollars will go toward transportation and $10,000 will help with lodging assistance.
“We are incredibly grateful to receive these two grants,” said Sue Omdalen, Essentia Health-Fargo Foundation director. “American Cancer Society dollars have directly supported so many of our oncology patients over the years, and we look forward to the impact these dollars will have.”
“These funds remove a critical barrier to care, allowing patients to focus on healing rather than worrying about how they’ll get to treatment or where they’ll stay,” added Sarah Hansen, a licensed social worker at the Essentia Health Fargo Cancer Center. “This support truly eases the burden for so many families, and we can’t thank the American Cancer Society enough for making this possible.”
A 2023 Journal of the National Cancer Institute study shows delayed care because of a lack of transportation is associated with increased emergency room use and death risk among adults with and without a cancer history.
“Transportation obstacles or the cost of a hotel room should not be barriers that determine the survival of those needing cancer treatment,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the ACS. “Partnering with health systems and organizations across the country to provide funding to deliver the direct assistance needed helps to fill these equity gaps and improves cancer outcomes.”
