Within the last year, the Foundation purchased two cars for the Oncology Transportation Team. The transportation program is offered to our patients who would not otherwise be able to travel to their appointments at UF Health Cancer Center – Orlando Health’s downtown campus. Over the years, the need for this service has grown significantly as the number of patients seeking care at the Cancer Center has also risen. In 2014, more than 4,256 trips with three drivers were provided, averaging 16 trips per day. This year the team is on track to complete 8,000 trips by year end. 

Two additional vehicles were purchased thanks to the generosity of the Chatlos Foundation, which provided the Orlando Health Foundation with a grant in February, as well as friend and donor, Lori Sommer, who made a gift to support patient transport services. We cannot thank the Chatlos Foundation and Lori Sommer enough for their support of this need. 

Because of these additional vehicles, patients were provided transportation to 1,300 more appointments this year. These cars have also allowed the Oncology Transportation team to extend their coverage from a 20-mile radius to a 25-mile radius. Patients residing in parts of Oviedo, Wekiva Springs, Kissimmee and St. Cloud are now able to use these service. 

Living 22 miles away and her closest family member living 1,000 miles away, Helen Twyman has relied on the transportation program since October 2015. She is unable to drive immediately after undergoing treatment. 

“I have no idea what I would have done without your help,” Helen shares. “Without this transportation, I wouldn’t be able to receive any treatment.”