American Cancer Society presented Singing River Health System Cancer Center with grant

Singing River Health System’s cancer center in Pascagoula will now be helping cancer patients along the Coast travel to and from treatment.

This afternoon, the American Cancer Society presented Singing River with a $5,000 grant to help patients with logistical and financial needs related to transportation.

These grants through ACS are awarded at a local level to health systems, treatment centers, and community organizations.

With Singing River treating patients all across South Mississippi, transportation can be a critical component to their care. ACS Senior Development Manager Lawanda Jones said, “Well it’s probably really one of the number one things because think about it, if you can’t get to the treatment, it can’t help you. So, it is imperative that cancer patients can get to and from their treatments. And a lot of people don’t realize the simplicity of getting a ride here could be such a big and detrimental thing and it is.”

Cancer Center Director Michael A. Finan M.D. said, “One thing many folks don’t realize is that when you get a diagnosis of cancer it’s not just the fear and the devastation and all the issues that come along with that diagnosis, but you actually have to go in and get treatment.”

Dr. Finan says Singing River has a navigation team that works with every new cancer patient and it is the team that screens out patients that need help with lodging, travel, and social help.