Ochsner Health Receives $200K Grant from American Cancer Society To Help Patients Facing Transportation Barriers

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The American Cancer Society awarded a $200,000 transportation grant to Ochsner Health. Funds will help adult and pediatric cancer patients residing in Louisiana and Mississippi access reliable and safe transportation to and from appointments.

Transportation is a common barrier to accessing healthcare, often creating a financial, logistical and emotional burden – both for the patient and caretakers. Unforeseen disruptions in public transportation can further intensify this issue for patients travelling from rural to urban areas for treatment. The US News & World Report ranked Louisiana #48 in the country for transportation after reviewing road and bridge quality, average commute times, and public transit issues.

“Cancer patients often undergo multiple treatments, which are most effective when delivered on schedule without interruption. This grant helps patients focus on their healing and helps remove any anxiety a patient may feel if they don’t know how they will get to an appointment or home afterwards,” said Brian Moore, MD, FACS, medical director, Ochsner Cancer Institute.

The American Cancer Society has been a consistent supporter of transportation and lodging assistance funds for Ochsner patients for many years. Last year alone, The American Cancer Society provided $320,000 to Ochsner Health for transportation and lodging assistance across the state of Louisiana.

“Some patients don’t have access to transportation at all or are too fatigued or sick to drive themselves,” said Amy Williams with the American Cancer Society. “Access to care is a big problem in our country, with low-income, people of color, and those living in rural communities suffering the most from disparities. The American Cancer Society is committed to breaking down these barriers and ensuring all people have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer.”

Cancer Care at Ochsner

The Ochsner Cancer Institute has cared for patients from all 50 states and 28 countries at its comprehensive cancer centers in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, St. Tammany Parish and in north Louisiana. In 2021, Ochsner served more than 32,000 adult and pediatric cancer patients.

The Ochsner Cancer Institute delivers advanced technology and treatment options such as precision therapies, early tumor detection programs and the largest clinical trials network in Louisiana so that patients do not have to leave the state for high-quality cancer care. The institute’s integrative oncology services program, when combined with traditional therapy, treat the whole patient, not just the cancer.

For more information about Ochsner’s award-winning cancer care or to make an appointment, please visit www.ochsner.org/cancer-care. For more information about the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

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About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is an integrated healthcare system with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Celebrating 80 years in 2022, it leads nationally in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, liver and heart transplants and pediatrics, among other areas. Ochsner is consistently named both the top hospital and top children’s hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. The not-for-profit organization is inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities. Its focus is on preventing diseases and providing patient-centered care that is accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner Health pioneers new treatments, deploys emerging technologies and performs groundbreaking research, including over 700 clinical studies. It has more than 34,000 employees and over 4,500 employed and affiliated physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties. It operates 40 hospitals and more than 300 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South; and its cutting-edge Connected Health digital medicine program is caring for patients beyond its walls. In 2021, Ochsner Health treated more than 1 million people from every state and 75 countries. As Louisiana’s top healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. To learn more, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. We invest in lifesaving research, provide 24/7 information and support, and work to ensure that individuals in every community have access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. For more information, visit cancer.org.