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Support Services > Travel and Lodging at Cancer Centers

National Patient Travel Center

Patients needing to travel long distances for specialized medical evaluation, diagnosis or treatment are eligible for special transportation and hospitality assistance. Some services are free and others are at highly discounted rates. These programs are administered by Mercy Medical Airlift - a national charity - through the National Patient Travel Center. Patients may call the National Patient Travel HELPLINE at 1-800-296-1217 or go to www.cancerpatienttravel.org

Air Charity Network

Air Charity Network is made-up of volunteer pilot organizations around the United States. These include Airlift Hope, Angel Flight Central, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic, Angel Flight Northeast, Angel FlightTM Southeast, Angel Flight West and Mercy Flight Southeast. Qualified pilots donate their time, aircraft and fuel free of charge for patients who qualify. Call toll free at 1-877-621-7177. Mercy Medical Airlift is a charity that gives qualified patients a ticket on an airline to get to medical treatment.

National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses, Inc.

This organization provides information on hundreds of hospital hospitality guest houses nationwide for patients and their families, For information, call their Helpline at 1-800-542-9730 or visit online at http://www.nahhh.org

M. D. Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX

M. D. Anderson has negotiated discounts with airlines, hotels and ground transportation for patients and caregivers. A Patient Identification Number, appointment date and physician's name will be required at the time of booking. Contact Patient Travel Services at 1-888-848-9992. Also available on premises is The Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International, a first-class hotel managed by Marriott Conference Centers. For toll free reservations call 1-800-847-5783.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Physician Referral Service at 1-800-525-2225, is staffed by oncology nurses who will obtain the information needed to make a referral to a physician, help make appointments and/or provide guidance to the appropriate resources.

Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY

The McKeen Pavilion in the Milstein Hospital Building offers luxury guest accommodations to family members who wish to be close to their loved ones during their hospitalization. Cost is $200/night and includes concierge service, telephone and television and continental breakfast. To make a reservation, call (212) 305-4820.

For those who prefer an offsite hotel, Columbia offers recommendations. Contact Patient Relations at (212) 305-5904.

Johns Hopkins Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD

By contacting only one office, the staff at Johns Hopkins can assist you with identifying an appropriate specialist, scheduling and coordinating all your appointments and making travel arrangements and lodging plans. Call (443) 287-6585 or (410) 614-USA1 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday-Friday.

A full-service travel agency is also located in the Hospital's main lobby which handles accommodations exclusively for patients, families and visitors. They may be reached toll free at 1-800-225-2201 or (410) 614-1859 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL

The Magnolia Lodging Program offers affordable accommodations to patients and families who need overnight or extended lodging while receiving treatment at Moffitt. Also available are a full range of additional lodging resources, including nearby hotels and furnished apartments. Discounted rates are available. Contact the Guest Services secretary at (813) 972-8407 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. eastern time, Monday-Friday.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

AirLife Line is available to qualifying patients who live over 100 miles or two hours from the Institute. For further information, call 1-800-446-1231. It is also serviced by Angel Flight Northeast at 1-800-549-9980 or online at www.angelflightne.org

Special housing programs and hotel arrangements are available to patients, families and friends at reduced rates. Contact Patient and Family Support Services at (617) 632-5503.

Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

Many hotels and motels are within walking distance of Duke University Medical Center, or offer shuttle service to the hospital. Some offer discounts to out-of-town family and friends. Call Patient and Visitor Relations at (919) 681-2020 or 1-888 ASK-DUKE for more information. The Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau also provides descriptions of hotels and motels in the Durham area. They can be reached at (919) 687-0288.

University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA

Cancer patients and family members may be eligible for free housing through the American Cancer Society, which works with eight area hotels to provide short-term housing. The ACS also has a house for short and long-term stays. Patients must be non-smokers, able to climb three flights of stairs and be self-sufficient. For more information, call (425) 869-5588.

In addition, the medical center has contracted with the Ramada Inn at Northgate and the University Plaza Hotel to provide low-cost housing. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. A list of other area hotels is available through UWMC or on their website (listed above).

The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL

The University of Chicago contracts with numerous city hotels at preferred rates. For reservations, contact Navigant, toll free at 1-888-863-2878, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. central time. A complete list of hotels may also be obtained by calling HealthLink at 1-888-UCH-0200.

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI

The Karmanos Cancer Institute has established affiliate programs with the following online services: Priceline, Travelocity.com, Travelscape, Fare Agent and USAHotelGuide.com to give patients the best possible rates. A comprehensive list of Metro Detroit area hotels may be obtained from the Metro Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau at (313) 202-1800 or online at http://www.visitdetroit.com. You may also contact the Detroit Medical Center's Guest Housing/International Center for convenient, comfortable, affordable housing. Amenities such as kitchenettes make extended stays more practical.

 

Hope Lodge

In order to be of assistance to cancer patients who must travel miles from home for treatments, the American Cancer Society created Hope Lodge. Hope Lodge is a temporary residential facility that provides free accommodations to those patients who meet their eligibility criteria. In addition to providing private rooms, kitchen facilities, and transportation to treatment, Hope Lodge also offers a support network for patients and their families.

Eligibility

Hope Lodge is available to all cancer patients who live more than 50 miles from their treatment facility, are receiving outpatient treatment, and require a three day or longer stay in that area for treatment. Residents must be approved for admission by their physician.

Admission is coordinated through the lodge manager and the patient's physician or cancer treatment center. Patients must be able to care for themselves and are limited to one room per family (one person per guest). Although nursing care is not available at the lodge, someone is on duty at all times in case of emergency.

For more information on Hope Lodge, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. For a listing of Hope Lodge locations nationwide, please click Here.