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How to afford travel expenses
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How to afford travel expenses

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › How to afford travel expenses

  • Post
    • December 31, 2011 at 6:54 pm
    jmmm
    Participant
      We are going to travel from St. Louis to Chicago (about a 6 hour drive) for a consult and hopefully a trial. If my husband qualifies, we’ll be heading up there every 2 weeks or so. How do people afford to do this? We checked with the American Cancer Society and they have a hotel we can stay at for $50 a night..no Hope Lodge, Joe’s House, etc., plus $57 parking per night. So, we’re talking $250+ per visit with gas and food. With no income at this point, we’re not sure how we’ll be able to afford it.

      We are going to travel from St. Louis to Chicago (about a 6 hour drive) for a consult and hopefully a trial. If my husband qualifies, we’ll be heading up there every 2 weeks or so. How do people afford to do this? We checked with the American Cancer Society and they have a hotel we can stay at for $50 a night..no Hope Lodge, Joe’s House, etc., plus $57 parking per night. So, we’re talking $250+ per visit with gas and food. With no income at this point, we’re not sure how we’ll be able to afford it. I’m sure my mom will help us out, but we’re wondering if there are other resources that might help with gas, food or lodging.

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    • Replies
        • January 2, 2012 at 12:41 pm
        Cooper
        Participant

          American Cancer Society I've heard gives out gas cards and one time grants I think.  It isn't much though.  Try MIF for resources. (melanomaforum.org)

          • January 2, 2012 at 12:41 pm
          Cooper
          Participant

            American Cancer Society I've heard gives out gas cards and one time grants I think.  It isn't much though.  Try MIF for resources. (melanomaforum.org)

            • January 2, 2012 at 12:41 pm
            Cooper
            Participant

              American Cancer Society I've heard gives out gas cards and one time grants I think.  It isn't much though.  Try MIF for resources. (melanomaforum.org)

              • January 2, 2012 at 8:38 pm
              Charlie S
              Participant

                Not sure of the level of support they can give, but the MRF does have oncology social workers that you can speak with.

                 

                 Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF), in partnership with CancerCare, is pleased to announce a free telephone helpline to assist melanoma patients and their loved ones. Funded by the MRF and staffed by CancerCare's professional oncology social workers, the helpline provides counseling and practical help to anyone facing a melanoma diagnosis.

                To reach the helpline, please call 1-877-MRF-6460 (1-877-673-6460)  Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

                Also, it's 48 bucks roundtrip on Amtrak per person ST. Louis/Chicago  with daily service it's about a five hour comfy ride and rail points add up quickly.  Public transit while in Chicago is frequent, extensive, reliable and cheap.

                Cheers,

                Charlie S

                • January 2, 2012 at 8:38 pm
                Charlie S
                Participant

                  Not sure of the level of support they can give, but the MRF does have oncology social workers that you can speak with.

                   

                   Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF), in partnership with CancerCare, is pleased to announce a free telephone helpline to assist melanoma patients and their loved ones. Funded by the MRF and staffed by CancerCare's professional oncology social workers, the helpline provides counseling and practical help to anyone facing a melanoma diagnosis.

                  To reach the helpline, please call 1-877-MRF-6460 (1-877-673-6460)  Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

                  Also, it's 48 bucks roundtrip on Amtrak per person ST. Louis/Chicago  with daily service it's about a five hour comfy ride and rail points add up quickly.  Public transit while in Chicago is frequent, extensive, reliable and cheap.

                  Cheers,

                  Charlie S

                  • January 2, 2012 at 8:38 pm
                  Charlie S
                  Participant

                    Not sure of the level of support they can give, but the MRF does have oncology social workers that you can speak with.

                     

                     Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF), in partnership with CancerCare, is pleased to announce a free telephone helpline to assist melanoma patients and their loved ones. Funded by the MRF and staffed by CancerCare's professional oncology social workers, the helpline provides counseling and practical help to anyone facing a melanoma diagnosis.

                    To reach the helpline, please call 1-877-MRF-6460 (1-877-673-6460)  Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

                    Also, it's 48 bucks roundtrip on Amtrak per person ST. Louis/Chicago  with daily service it's about a five hour comfy ride and rail points add up quickly.  Public transit while in Chicago is frequent, extensive, reliable and cheap.

                    Cheers,

                    Charlie S

                    • January 3, 2012 at 12:35 am
                    Charlie S
                    Participant

                      Maybe another resoource for lodging

                      http://www.gildasclubchicago.org/contact_us.html

                      Cheers,

                      Charlie S

                      • January 3, 2012 at 12:35 am
                      Charlie S
                      Participant

                        Maybe another resoource for lodging

                        http://www.gildasclubchicago.org/contact_us.html

                        Cheers,

                        Charlie S

                        • January 3, 2012 at 12:35 am
                        Charlie S
                        Participant

                          Maybe another resoource for lodging

                          http://www.gildasclubchicago.org/contact_us.html

                          Cheers,

                          Charlie S

                          • January 9, 2012 at 7:48 pm
                          Tiko
                          Participant

                            It is difficult.  My mom is traveling from Florida to Texas once a month and it is expensive.  Try calling around hotels by the hospital see if they can give you a better rate (advise them you are coming there for cancer treatements).  That's awfully high for parking.  We stay at the Crowne Plaza in Houston for 60 dollars and 4 dollars a day parking.  Usually we take a shuttle from hotel so we don't have a car.  The hotel shuttle takes us to the hospital and picks us up.  Air fare is our biggist financial burden. 

                            • January 9, 2012 at 7:48 pm
                            Tiko
                            Participant

                              It is difficult.  My mom is traveling from Florida to Texas once a month and it is expensive.  Try calling around hotels by the hospital see if they can give you a better rate (advise them you are coming there for cancer treatements).  That's awfully high for parking.  We stay at the Crowne Plaza in Houston for 60 dollars and 4 dollars a day parking.  Usually we take a shuttle from hotel so we don't have a car.  The hotel shuttle takes us to the hospital and picks us up.  Air fare is our biggist financial burden. 

                              • January 9, 2012 at 7:48 pm
                              Tiko
                              Participant

                                It is difficult.  My mom is traveling from Florida to Texas once a month and it is expensive.  Try calling around hotels by the hospital see if they can give you a better rate (advise them you are coming there for cancer treatements).  That's awfully high for parking.  We stay at the Crowne Plaza in Houston for 60 dollars and 4 dollars a day parking.  Usually we take a shuttle from hotel so we don't have a car.  The hotel shuttle takes us to the hospital and picks us up.  Air fare is our biggist financial burden. 

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