SAN ANTONIO \u2013 A San Antonio nonprofit that provides free rides for cancer patients has paused its transportation program, leaving about 1,400 low-income clients looking for other ways to get to and from treatment.<\/p>\n
ThriveWell can no longer provide rides until after Oct. 31 because of a funding shortage, Executive Director Erin Ercoline said. The nonprofit said it began notifying hospitals about the pause on Aug. 21.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, while the need for transportation support has continued to grow, available funding has not kept pace with the expenses required to provide this essential assistance. Our transportation program budget now exceeds $1.1 million annually,\u201d Ercoline said in a statement. \u201cThis was a beyond difficult decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
For patients like Claudia Garcia, the rides are essential. Garcia has been going to UT Health San Antonio\u2019s Mays Cancer Center for daily radiation treatments. When her treatment began about a month ago, she was receiving free transportation through ThriveWell.<\/p>\n
That changed last week, when she said a transportation coordinator at the Mays Cancer Center called to explain what was happening. The Mays Cancer Center is now paying for Garcia\u2019s rides through Lyft.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a lifeline,\u201d Garcia said. \u201cIt\u2019s very necessary for people who can\u2019t drive, people who don\u2019t have family or friends who can take them. It\u2019s so important to get here daily for your treatments. If you miss one, that can put back your prognosis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ercoline said no other nonprofits offer the same level of transportation support for cancer center patients, which is why ThriveWell is seeking additional help. She said that support could come through donations or from hospitals providing their own transportation services.<\/p>\n
During the temporary pause, ThriveWell is encouraging patients to contact their insurance company, oncology practice or treating hospital to ask about available transportation resources.<\/p>\n
The nonprofit\u2019s major fundraising events are scheduled for the fall, starting this week and continuing through October. ThriveWell hopes to raise enough money to restart the transportation program after Oct. 31.<\/p>\n
Garcia said she is grateful the Mays Cancer Center was able to step in, but she worries about patients who may struggle to navigate rideshare services or find another way to treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do hope that the organization behind it can get back to it or get the help that they need as well,\u201d Garcia said.<\/p>\n