The American Cancer Society Launches New Addressing Barriers to Care Grant
Program to Expand Social Needs Support for People with Cancer
ATLANTA, April 30, 2024 – The American Cancer Society’s new Addressing Barriers to Care grant program recently awarded a total of $500,000 to fund 15 community organizations providing services that address food security and nutrition, physical activity opportunities, education, social isolation, financial stability, job security, education and responsibility for dependents. These challenges are among health-related social needs that can directly impact the lives of cancer patients. The American Cancer Society launched the new funding initiative to complement its existing programs and grants focused on removing treatment barriers connected to transportation and lodging.
The 2024 ABC grantees include:
lodging assistance to patients during cancer treatment. Cancer outcomes are also impacted by a patient’s quality of life. There is a demonstrated need to improve access to the non-medical needs of cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and families. For example, according to a January 2024 ACS CAN Survivor Views Survey, 40 percent of cancer patients and survivors experience some degree of food or nutrition insecurity, and according to American Cancer Society researchers, more than one in five patients with cancer in the United States struggles to meet at least one basic need. These material hardships are associated with delays in
treatment, greater distress, financial toxicity, and a higher risk of relapse and death. To help community organizations more comprehensively impact these issues, the American Cancer Society launched the new Addressing Barriers to Care grant program in 2024 to assist in supporting the health-related social needs of cancer patients, caregivers and families on the grassroots level.
“Gaps in the basic needs of people with cancer and their families can directly impact a patient’s health outcomes,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society. “From housing to food insecurity to social isolation, the new Addressing Barriers to Care grant program is meant to help provide the funding community organizations need to offer important services and support.“
- Advocates for Community Wellness (A4CW) – Chicago, IL
- Alliance Community Services – Murray, UT
- Cancer Kinship – Newport Beach, CA
- Cancer Legal Care – Oakdale, MN
- Cheeky Charity Inc – Mount Kisco, NY
- Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment, Inc. (COPE) – Gallup, NM
- FeedMore Western New York Inc – Buffalo, NY
- Hope Cancer Resources – Springdale, AR
- Institute for Research and Education in Family Medicine (IFM Community Medicine) – St. Louis, MO
- Miles Perret Cancer Services – Lafayette, LA
- Feeding Southwest Virginia – Salem, VA
- S.L.E.W. Inc./SLEW Cancer Wellness Center (Support Lending for Emotional Well-being) – San Antonio, TX
- The Resurrection Project – Chicago, IL
- Us vs. Cancer (UVSC) – Makawao, HI
The American Cancer Society believes all people should have a fair and just opportunity to live a longer, healthier life free from cancer regardless of how much money they make, skin color, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or where they live. In addition to providing funding to health systems and organizations, the American Cancer Society offers a Road To Recovery program that provides free rides to and from treatment and over 30 Hope Lodge communities that provide a free place to stay during treatment.
For more information, contact 1-385-285-2727 or the ACS offices at 801-265-1111.
