Cancer treatment vs. gas

WKRN-TV-2
Thursday, May 8, 2008


High gas prices are hitting home for cancer
patients at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

Some cancer patients can't afford high gas prices

High gas prices hurt cancer patients
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Battling lung cancer, Charles Wilcher travels 87 miles
each way from McMinnville to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer
Center in Nashville for treatment.

With gas prices at record highs, patients like him are
struggling to afford travel expenses on their own.

"It just lasts for a few minutes, but living in McMinnville,
you still had the burden of being down here," he said.

At first, Wilcher, who was diagnosed in February and told by
doctors he needed chemotherapy and daily radiation, was driving
more than two hours a day for treatment.

It didn't take long for the bills to add up.

To help Wilcher make ends meet, Vanderbilt offered to pay for
his gas.

Through a transportation grant from the American Cancer Society,
the hospital was given gas cards to help patients who need help
getting to and from treatment.

As the price of gas has continued to climb, however, the funding
has run out.

"For some folks who come through our door... Financially it is
very stressful," said Cindy Tinker, a social worker at Vanderbilt.
"Those gas cards go quickly... They're a very hot commodity for
folks."

To help patients like Wilcher, send your donations to ......

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