Program aims to eliminate this ‘significant barrier’ for women battling breast cancer

Andrea Sweetney of D C use a campaign that takes women to and from their breast cancer recovery appointments WTOP Scott Gelman Andrea Sweetney of D C use a project that takes women to and from their breast cancer remedy appointments WTOP Scott Gelman Almost a year ago Andrea Sweetney of D C was frozen with fear Who would give her rides to and from her appointments for breast cancer treatments Sweetney who lives in Southeast was diagnosed with breast cancer last October She was nervous and started looking for things to give away and she worried about the impact of the assessment on her family and friends Then someone pointed her to the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention a partner of the Wheels for Women activity Specific of her stress was alleviated when she learned she wouldn t have to rely on her family for rides to and from appointments With a quick phone call Sweetney has been able to arrange to be picked up from her home and taken to MedStar Washington Hospital Center Another call when the appointment is finished arranges her transportation home Sweetney is one of the thousands of women who have benefited from the Wheels for Women initiative which through Lyft offers free rides to and from breast cancer screenings or other related appointments And now the Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer has partnered with D C s Department of Strength expanding its reach I just hope and pray that everybody can get the help that I was able to get and get the transportation back and forth Sweetney disclosed For Sweetney the free rides meant her daughter didn t have to rearrange her schedule or take time off from work It also meant her other daughter who lives in Atlanta didn t have to fly to D C to get her to appointments Since the Brem Foundation has provided more than free rides to patients according to CEO Clare Dougherty So far this year it s provided almost surpassing the organization s goal for the year Transportation unfortunately for a multitude of women is a essential barrier to accessing their breast cancer screening Dougherty mentioned The group has partners in the D C region and in Baltimore and it works with fitness care providers that have skilled person navigators who can help us identify the women the greater part at peril in their practices for potentially missing a screening appointment due to transportation limitations Dougherty revealed The Brem Foundation provides grants to cover the rides and collects details on who is taking them Dougherty noted of riders are Latina women who often just are struggling with limited insurance and limited wellness care Ride costs have fluctuated and Dougherty stated it s on average one way and roundtrip But if you have to go for several appointments for particular women that truly can be the difference between am I going to get groceries this week or cover the cost of dinner tonight for my family or go for my screening appointment Dougherty declared We feel very strongly that women should not have to make such tradeoffs The new partnership with D C Soundness enables the organization to cover the cost of the rides for patients using them so the local robustness agency doesn t have to pay Dougherty noted D C Medical has seen a rising need for transit services to screening appointments she disclosed Sweetney meanwhile is hoping to pay it forward There are particular women scared to go to the hospital scared to reach out because they have nobody there for them Sweetney disclosed I m willing to help you I really am because it was a scary situation for me Source