Transportation Assistance Program

coolvdub
coolvdub Member Posts: 408 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Just an FYI. During my orientation/info session at my 1st Chemo treatment. I was given a form to fill to get a gas card from the ACS to help defray the added expenses of going to my treatments. Has anybody else gotten a fuel card or used this service? I kind of feel guilty thinking about using it, but I travel a minimum of 90 miles to Chemo and on disconnect days from the pump it's 134 miles plus going to get the dressing changed on my PICC and lab days, I will be spending a fortune on gas. Apparently it doesn't matter what your income is either, the ACS just wants to help us out. The big question for me is, does the use of this program take money away from research. I certainly don't want to do that.

Don

Comments

  • dixchi
    dixchi Member Posts: 431
    #2
    Great Program
    absolutely don't feel guilty about accepting help from the
    ACS; that is what they are there for and the pots for research
    and patient support are entirely separate. ACS is a huge
    organization and provides many services. Here in Cincinnati
    they also have volunteer drivers who help get people to
    and from treatments. There are also full time people called patient
    navigators who help people find transportation and other
    things they need during the course of treatment like
    finding housing, treatment programs, answering insurance
    coverage problems, etc. Here we also have a lodge where
    people can stay from out of town while they get treatment
    and this is funded by ACS. Maybe when you are feeling
    better, if you would like, you could find a place to
    volunteer yourself in the ACS system....would be a great way to say thanks
    and continue the good work.

    Barbara
  • lesvanb
    lesvanb Member Posts: 905
    #3
    Be thankful for the assistance
    Cancer treatment is very costly and any help like this will help you in the long run, and it can be a long run. It's great it is available to you as this service is not available to me in Wyoming from ACS.

    Leslie
  • coolvdub
    coolvdub Member Posts: 408 Member
    #4
    lesvanb said:

    Be thankful for the assistance
    Cancer treatment is very costly and any help like this will help you in the long run, and it can be a long run. It's great it is available to you as this service is not available to me in Wyoming from ACS.

    Leslie

    Of course
    you guys are right, as always. I just did the math and will be driving at least an extra 896 miles per month to go to various cancer related appointments. Since the ACS re-imburses you at .14 cents per mile that's $125.44 per month to help with fuel or about 4 tanks for me, and I drive an economy car. Thanks for the insight.

    Don
  • just4Brooks
    just4Brooks Member Posts: 980 Member
    #5
    Where can I get that form
    Does anyone know where I can get a form for this? I'm in the San Diego area and drive about 45 to 60 for each treatment, PICC dressing, and or DR appointments. I need all the help I can get!!
  • coolvdub
    coolvdub Member Posts: 408 Member
    #6
    just4Brooks said:

    Where can I get that form
    Does anyone know where I can get a form for this? I'm in the San Diego area and drive about 45 to 60 for each treatment, PICC dressing, and or DR appointments. I need all the help I can get!!

    I will get you a copy
    just4Brooks,

    I whaven't filled my form out yet, so I will photocopy it. If you want I will give you my email address so we can exchange info and I will send you a copy. I think the best place to get it is probably from your local ACS office but I may be wrong. I will ask the nurses next Friday when I go in for my next chemo treatment where to get fresh copies from.

    Don
  • Mchapp
    Mchapp Member Posts: 95
    #7
    coolvdub said:

    I will get you a copy
    just4Brooks,

    I whaven't filled my form out yet, so I will photocopy it. If you want I will give you my email address so we can exchange info and I will send you a copy. I think the best place to get it is probably from your local ACS office but I may be wrong. I will ask the nurses next Friday when I go in for my next chemo treatment where to get fresh copies from.

    Don

    Call 1-800-227-2345
    I am a staff partner (as well as a current cancer patient) for the American Cancer Society - in WV...to apply for the gas card - as well as other assistance (depends on your state) call 1-800-227-2345 - there is a LIVE person there 24/7/365

    All that you will need is the treating MD phone number and address, as well as your own address - they will call to verify that you are ACTIVELY receiving treatment (chemo / radiation)...they do not have assistance for office visits or for scans, just active treatment.

    What can you do to help - Join your local Relay For Life and help fundraise to help others!!!
  • coolvdub
    coolvdub Member Posts: 408 Member
    #8
    Mchapp said:

    Call 1-800-227-2345
    I am a staff partner (as well as a current cancer patient) for the American Cancer Society - in WV...to apply for the gas card - as well as other assistance (depends on your state) call 1-800-227-2345 - there is a LIVE person there 24/7/365

    All that you will need is the treating MD phone number and address, as well as your own address - they will call to verify that you are ACTIVELY receiving treatment (chemo / radiation)...they do not have assistance for office visits or for scans, just active treatment.

    What can you do to help - Join your local Relay For Life and help fundraise to help others!!!

    Thanks for the answer
    Mchapp,
    I don't want to misuse the program. Does going to get disconnected from my pump count as active treatment? What about dressing changes for my PICC line and labs before each round of chemo. I can see maybe not the labs, but it would seem everything else is legitimate.

    Don
  • Mchapp
    Mchapp Member Posts: 95
    #9
    coolvdub said:

    Thanks for the answer
    Mchapp,
    I don't want to misuse the program. Does going to get disconnected from my pump count as active treatment? What about dressing changes for my PICC line and labs before each round of chemo. I can see maybe not the labs, but it would seem everything else is legitimate.

    Don

    Gas card
    Please use the service - sometimes I think the American Cancer Society is a big secret on the services they have for patients - and it should not be...so I am happy to let all survivors know that this program is there for us!!!

    Having your pump disconnected does apply to treatment - but labs, CT, Pet scans, doc office visits, dressing changes do not...just chemo and radiation...
    There is also funds for nausa meds and pain meds, if needed....

    There is a limit of the amount on each card...they will give you the card in increments - not the full amount upfront - you will have to call to add more time to your card...in WV our limit is $300 per person with a current diagnosis.

    Hope this helps!!!
  • coolvdub
    coolvdub Member Posts: 408 Member
    #10
    Mchapp said:

    Gas card
    Please use the service - sometimes I think the American Cancer Society is a big secret on the services they have for patients - and it should not be...so I am happy to let all survivors know that this program is there for us!!!

    Having your pump disconnected does apply to treatment - but labs, CT, Pet scans, doc office visits, dressing changes do not...just chemo and radiation...
    There is also funds for nausa meds and pain meds, if needed....

    There is a limit of the amount on each card...they will give you the card in increments - not the full amount upfront - you will have to call to add more time to your card...in WV our limit is $300 per person with a current diagnosis.

    Hope this helps!!!

    Good info
    Mchapp,
    Thanks so much for the clarification. I was just handed the paperwork and not given any specifics about how the program works.

    Don
  • Mchapp
    Mchapp Member Posts: 95
    #11
    coolvdub said:

    Good info
    Mchapp,
    Thanks so much for the clarification. I was just handed the paperwork and not given any specifics about how the program works.

    Don

    ACS has a wealth of services
    Don,
    There are many programs and services that the American Cancer Society offers - just ask!!!

    Please let me know if you need any additional information - I am in the South Atlantic Division - and I really only know the $$ amounts we can serve patients - other Divisions set their own levels, depending on the needs!

    Glad to help!
    Michelle
  • zigswife
    zigswife Member Posts: 61
    #12
    Mchapp said:

    ACS has a wealth of services
    Don,
    There are many programs and services that the American Cancer Society offers - just ask!!!

    Please let me know if you need any additional information - I am in the South Atlantic Division - and I really only know the $$ amounts we can serve patients - other Divisions set their own levels, depending on the needs!

    Glad to help!
    Michelle

    Michelle-
    Do you cover
    Michelle-
    Do you cover Virginia?
  • Mchapp
    Mchapp Member Posts: 95
    #13
    zigswife said:

    Michelle-
    Do you cover
    Michelle-
    Do you cover Virginia?

    South Atlantic Division
    I personally only cover 4 Counties in WV..but Virginia is in the South Atlantic Division of ACS...South Atlantic Division is comprised of West Virginia, Virginia, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

    Please contact 1-800-227-2345 for what ever assistance you need! There is a live staff partner there for you 24/7/365.

    Hope this helps!
  • serrana
    serrana Member Posts: 163 Member
    #14
    Mchapp said:

    South Atlantic Division
    I personally only cover 4 Counties in WV..but Virginia is in the South Atlantic Division of ACS...South Atlantic Division is comprised of West Virginia, Virginia, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

    Please contact 1-800-227-2345 for what ever assistance you need! There is a live staff partner there for you 24/7/365.

    Hope this helps!

    treatment costs
    Don't forget that you can deduct mileage to and from medical appointments from your Federal Income Tax so keep a log........
    Also in many states there is a program provided by the gas/electric companies which give discounts on utilities for folks w/ medical needs including those w/ life threatening illnesses who just need air conditioning/heating but not medical equipment.
    Serrana
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #15
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • cody4399
    cody4399 Member Posts: 3
    #16
    Mchapp said:

    Call 1-800-227-2345
    I am a staff partner (as well as a current cancer patient) for the American Cancer Society - in WV...to apply for the gas card - as well as other assistance (depends on your state) call 1-800-227-2345 - there is a LIVE person there 24/7/365

    All that you will need is the treating MD phone number and address, as well as your own address - they will call to verify that you are ACTIVELY receiving treatment (chemo / radiation)...they do not have assistance for office visits or for scans, just active treatment.

    What can you do to help - Join your local Relay For Life and help fundraise to help others!!!

    Gas Card,ACS

    Called the ACS number you provided and the ACS does not have the gas card program for my state of Maryland.really don't know where to go from here at the moment.I have to drive 70 miles round trip each day,5 days a week for 6 weeks for radiation treatments.I wondeer why the ACS doen't have the gas card program in my state.

    CJ

  • cody4399
    cody4399 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2017 #17
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    gas card

    new to the forum how do I post a reply

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #18
    cody4399 said:

    gas card

    new to the forum how do I post a reply

    Start a new thread

    This is a very old thread, so I would start a new thread on the forum home page. Here is the link http://csn.cancer.org/forum/128

    I wish I had known about this card. I had a 300 mile round trip every other week during my treatment. It all adds up. 

    Oh well! Too late now, and I hope to NEVER need it in the future. 

    Look forward to hearing from you. 

    TRU

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