Cancer patients in Onslow County facing transportation challenges will now have better access to life-saving treatments, thanks to a $5,000 grant awarded to the Onslow Memorial Hospital (OMH) Foundation by the American Cancer Society (ACS).
The funding will provide gas cards and cab rides for local patients struggling to get to their appointments. Thomas Giffin, executive director of the OMH Foundation, emphasized how critical this support is:
“The issue is a major barrier for many of our patients, and we are extremely grateful to the American Cancer Society for this funding, which ensures local patients access to OMH’s quality cancer care.”
The importance of transportation for cancer patients cannot be overstated. Research from ACS indicates that cancer survivors who delay care due to a lack of transportation face significantly higher risks of both cancer-related and overall mortality. By reducing this barrier, the grant helps ensure that more patients can receive timely and essential care.
This is not the first time ACS has stepped in to assist local patients. Last year, the OMH Foundation distributed $7,500 in transportation assistance, made possible by a previous ACS grant and an additional $4,500 from generous community donors.
Looking ahead, the foundation aims to expand its transportation assistance program beyond cancer care to other departments within the hospital.
OMH, a nationally accredited 162-bed medical facility affiliated with UNC Health Care, serves Jacksonville and the greater Onslow County area. Through partnerships like this, the hospital continues to provide vital resources to the community.