The Upstate Cancer Center has received a $20,000 grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS) aimed at supporting transportation needs of cancer patients in Central New York.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the Upstate Cancer Center has been awarded this funding.

Frequent treatments for cancer patients require much support from families, not only in time commitments, but also in the cost of transportation.

To help patients get the critical care they need, ACS awards community transportation grants to health systems, treatment centers and community organizations. These grants are available in select communities through an application process and focus on addressing unmet transportation needs of cancer patients, particularly vulnerable populations experiencing an unequal burden of cancer.

Last year’s ACS transportation grant to the Upstate Cancer Center provided patients with more than 600 rides to their treatments.

The Upstate Cancer Center provides care for patients throughout a 17-county region of Central New York. Its main location is downtown Syracuse, with satellites at Upstate Community Hospital, Madison Irving, Hill Medical, Upstate Cancer Center at Oswego, and Upstate Cancer Center at Verona.

Caption: Participating in the American Cancer Center grant announcement are, from left, Joni Richter, American Cancer Society; Upstate Cancer Center social workers Tracey Gilgallon and Amy Williams; Jennifer Logiudice, Upstate Cancer Center associate administrator; and Chris Benton, Upstate Cancer Center social media & events coordinator.