Essentia Health receives American Cancer Society transportation, lodging grants to support cancer patients

The Essentia Health-Fargo Foundation is honored to receive two new grants, totaling $30,000, from the American Cancer Society (ACS) to help alleviate some of the financial burden for patients undergoing cancer treatment.

This year's grants include $20,000 to help provide transportation and $10,000 to provide lodging assistance. They are part of a nationwide investment of $9 million that is expected to provide nearly 63,000 eligible patients with almost 800,000 transportation and lodging services.

"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."

Access to high-quality cancer treatment impacts cancer 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 (JNCI) 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 a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program from the Commission on Cancer and by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).

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 several 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.