BANGOR — Penquis C.A.P., Inc. has been awarded a two-year, $60,000 grant from the Maine Cancer Foundation to continue its Accessing Cancer Care program. The program provides transportation to treatment and support services for individuals with cancer in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.
“One of the most significant barriers to cancer treatment in Maine is transportation,” said Steven Richard, Penquis Transportation Services director. “With funding from the Maine Cancer Foundation, we can increase access to cancer treatment and support services, ultimately improving health outcomes and quality of life for those battling cancer.”
The distance and frequent travel to treatment centers make reliable transportation a critical need, particularly for rural Mainers. Accessing Cancer Care helps approximately 400 individuals each year overcome transportation barriers to receive life-saving treatment and support services. Transportation options include volunteer drivers, taxis, agency vehicles and reimbursement, allowing services to be tailored to individual needs and delivered efficiently.
“I am very thankful for this service,” said one program participant who occasionally has to travel more than two hours to receive medical care. Many participants appreciate the reimbursement option, saying it is helpful when on a fixed income or when needing to make numerous trips to Boston for treatment. Others are grateful for the rides to and from their appointments, with one person saying, “It was one less worry.”
Maine Cancer Foundation’s grant is offered as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce cancer incidence and mortality in Maine. They have invested over $22 million since 2015 in support of cancer prevention, early detection and screening, and access to care for all Mainers. To learn more about Maine Cancer Foundation visit www.mainecancer.org or contact Katelyn Michaud at [email protected] or 207-773-2533.
For more information about the Penquis Accessing Cancer Care program, call 207-973-3695 or email [email protected].
Penquis is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1967 to assist individuals and families in improving their financial stability. Penquis programs and services focus efforts in four key areas: healthy lives, access to transportation, housing stability and school readiness. Through its programs and subsidiaries, Penquis affects all of Maine’s 16 counties but primarily serves individuals in Penobscot, Piscataquis and Knox counties. Approximately 5,000 people are served on any given day and more than 30,000 each year.
