American Cancer Society Awards Transportation and Lodging Grant to Essentia Health
The Essentia Health Cancer Center in Fargo is honored to receive a $35,000 grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS) to help alleviate some of the financial burden for patients undergoing cancer treatment through transportation and lodging assistance.
The grant is part of a nationwide investment of $9 million that is expected to provide nearly 60,000 eligible patients with an estimated 700,000 transportation and lodging services.
"We are so grateful to the American Cancer Society for their support of our patients at the Essentia Health Cancer Center,” said Sue Omdalen, Essentia Health-Fargo Foundation executive director. “These funds will go directly to alleviating financial and logistical burdens for our patients, allowing them to focus on healing rather than worrying about how to get to their appointments and where they’ll stay. We look forward to the positive impact these dollars will have for the families we serve.”
Access to high-quality cancer treatment impacts outcomes. A lack of transportation and lodging needed to receive quality care can lead to missed appointments, treatment interruptions and delays in follow-up care. In a 2023 Journal of the National Cancer Institute study, ACS researchers found that delayed care due to lack of transportation is associated with increased emergency room use and mortality 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.”
Located at the Essentia Health-South University Clinic, the Fargo Cancer Center is accredited as an Integrated Network Cancer Program from the Commission on Cancer and by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.
With a geographic service area that is about 84% rural, Essentia Health works hard every day to safeguard the health and well-being of all our patients, regardless of where they live. Essentia offers comprehensive cancer care services at four cancer centers in North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as mobile mammography services to rural communities.
The Essentia Health-Fargo Foundation was established in 2010 to improve the lives of our patients and families. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting people through their journey to a healthy life and ensuring health care remains local and accessible to everyone who needs it.