American Cancer Society Transportation and Lodging Grants

Funder: American Cancer Society (Distributed through Essentia Health-Fargo Foundation)

Geographic Scope: Essentia Health-Fargo service area (North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin)

Program Description:
Grants awarded to help alleviate financial burden for patients undergoing cancer treatment by providing transportation and lodging assistance.

Award Details:

• Total Grant Award (FY25): $30,000
  • $20,000 for transportation assistance
  • $10,000 for lodging assistance
• Part of nationwide $9 million American Cancer Society investment expected to provide nearly 63,000 eligible patients with almost 800,000 transportation and lodging services

Focus:
These funds remove critical barriers to cancer care, allowing patients to focus on healing rather than worrying about transportation or accommodations.

Impact:
Access to high-quality cancer treatment impacts cancer outcomes. Lack of transportation and lodging needed to receive quality care can lead to:

• Missed appointments
• Treatment interruptions
• Delays in follow-up care
• Increased emergency room use
• Mortality risk

Eligible Patients:
Patients undergoing cancer treatment at:

• Essentia Health-Fargo Cancer Center (primary location)
• Located at Essentia Health-South University Clinic
• Four cancer centers across North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
• Mobile mammography services to rural communities

Cancer Center Accreditations:

• Accredited as Comprehensive Community Cancer Program by Commission on Cancer
• National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)

Contact Information:

• Sue Omdalen, Essentia Health-Fargo Foundation Director
• Essentia Health-Fargo Foundation