New Program Expands Financial Assistance for Travel Expenses of Mesothelioma Patients
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has increased the opportunities for travel expense reimbursement. Their Travel Grant program will now provide financial assistance for mesothelioma patients participating in clinical trials that require long distance visits. Formerly, expenses were only covered for those traveling to an initial consultation with specialists. The Meso Foundation began accepting applications for clinical trial traveling in late June.
Patients seeking mesothelioma treatment from clinical trials can receive up to $1,000 in grant money. This grant can be put towards transportation, food and lodging during the trip.
Unfortunately, because mesothelioma is such a rare cancer, it can be hard for patients to find physicians who specialize in treating mesothelioma near their homes. As a result, it is common for patients to travel in order to receive care. After the initial visit, though, specialists can often collaborate with local doctors to administer treatment without any further trips.
The Travel Grant program helps to take some of the burden off of mesothelioma patients who are dealing with this difficult diagnosis. To qualify, patients must be in one of the three following situations:
- Patient is traveling to an expert mesothelioma caregiver or consult. Repeat visits are not covered.
- Patient has relapsed after treatment from a specialist and is traveling to seek new treatment options.
- Patient is enrolled in a clinical trial that requires traveling. Because clinical trials involve multiple visits, the program may cover future visits as long as they are each filed as individual applications.
Those applying must also demonstrate financial need showing they require traveling expense assistance.
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