Travel and Lodging for Patients with Rare Diseases

So let’s begin.

If you are looking for information in general check out National Patient Air Transport HELPLINE – http://www.npath.org/ as it provides referrals to the proper sources available in a nation wide charitable air transport network.

If a bedside-to-bedside transport is needed, check into Air Ambulance Anywhere at http://airambulancenetwork.com. This web site can be viewed not only in English but Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. They have trained professional that will accompany the patient as well.

For cancer patients, bone marrow donors, and bone marrow recipients there is Corporate Angel Network at http://www.corpangelnetwork.org. They use empty seats on corporate aircraft traveling on routine business to assist in lessening emotional stress, physical discomfort, and financial burden for cancer patients. Patients are permitted to bring an adult companion and in the case of a child, two adults may travel along.

Angel Flight for Veterans – http://www.angelflightveterans.org, can assist veterans and active military personnel and their family.

People in Europe may turn to Angel Flight Europe – http://www.angelflight-europe.org that is a charitable organization that offers free long distance transportation in situations that are not an emergency. It covers the European Union and Switzerland.

For housing assistance try the National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses (NAHHH) at http://www.nahhh.org (800-542-9730). This is a non-profit corporation that assist in the provision of lodging and aids other supportive services as well to both patients and their families Costs average from $5 to $15 while some are even free. This site also lists housing that are not members of NAHHH. By clicking on a map and then the closest city it brings up the nearest hospitality houses available. This map includes all of the United States plus Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

There is the Ronald MacDonald House Charities too. At http://www.rmhc.com/rmhc/index.html you will find information on what they are about, programs they offer and grants that are available and how to apply to them. There are more than 245 Ronald McDonald Houses in 26 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and of course the United States.

Last but not least there is the American Cancer Society. ACS makes available free temporary housing for cancer patients and family members at seventeen Hope Lodges across the US. You can obtain more information about the Hope Lodge in the area where the patient will be treated by contacting their local American Cancer Society office.