Organizations that help people needing medical travel

Editor’s note: This story is part of a Cape Breton Post Special Report taking a closer look at Nova Scotia’s health-care system and the patient experience when needing to travel for medical treatments.

There are many organizations and charities who are dedicated to helping people who need to travel for medical treatments and appointments. Some are for cancer patients while others are for anyone needing help during an emotional and financially taxing time.

Here are a few that are available for people in Nova Scotia:

Boarding Transportation and Ostomy Program: A service affiliated with MSI for cancer patients traveling away from home for treatments and for ostomy supplies. The fund will help cover travel and accommodations when needed.

Who: Cancer patients in Nova Scotia with family income of $25,500 or less.

Can’t have: Funding from another government agency.

Phone: 902-496-7011 or 888894-5353.

Email: BTOPrograms@medavie.bluecross.ca.

Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC): Offering support for cancer patients between 18-39 years old, this organization focuses mainly on support with face-to-face support groups, conferences and retreats.

Who: Cancer patients ages 18-39, nationwide.

Email: connect@youngadultcancer.ca.

Website: youngadultcancer. ca

Facebook: facebook.com/ youngadultcancercanada.

Rainy Day Fund: This fund comes from the charity, Shine Through The Rain. It is there to help people dealing with illness who are falling behind on bill payments like utilities and rent, when they are overdue by 30 days.

Who: People undergoing medical treatment, nationwide.

What: Maximum amount of $1,000 per family per year.

Website: shinethroughtherain.ca.

Phone: 905-477-7743. Read Wednesday’s edition of the Cape Breton Post for more from this Special Report.