If you will travel for treatment:

Whether it’s frequent trips to a local oncology center or a temporary relocation to a specialized brain tumor hospital – planning ahead will save money and stress. Brain tumor patients often need daily radiation over several weeks or may seek second opinions and clinical trials far from home. Below are action steps to manage travel and lodging costs: 

Estimate Your Travel Needs & Make a Budget:

First, map out your treatment schedule and location. Will you need to stay near an out-of-town hospital for several weeks? Or commute to a center daily/weekly? Calculate potential costs for transportation (gas, tolls, parking or airfare), lodging, meals, and incidentals. Creating a rough travel budget will clarify how much help you might need. For example, six weeks of daily radiation 50 miles from home could mean $X in gas and parking fees; a month in another city for a clinical trial could mean $Y in hotel costs. Knowing this, you can target assistance for those specific needs. 

Use Hospital and Nonprofit Lodging Programs:

Ask the hospital or cancer center if they offer any patient lodging or discount arrangements – many have partnerships with local hotels or short-term housing for out-of-town patients. American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge program provides free accommodations for cancer patients and caregivers in many cities across the U.S. when treatment is far from home. There are 30+ Hope Lodges nationwide – if there’s one near your treatment, you can stay at no cost (but call early to reserve, as space can fill up).

Another resource is the Healthcare Hospitality Network, a coalition of nearly 200 nonprofit houses (similar to Ronald McDonald Houses) that offer low-cost or free housing to families traveling for medical care – you can search their directory for options in your treatment city. Extended Stay America, a hotel chain, also partners with ACS for discounted rates for cancer patients. If the patient is a child, Ronald McDonald House provides free/low-cost family lodging near many pediatric hospitals. Tip: Your social worker or nurse navigator often has a list of local lodging options and can assist with referrals or paperwork for these programs. 

Budget for Transportation (and find transport help):

Look at how you will get to treatment. If you can drive, factor in gas, tolls, parking fees, and wear on your car. Keep receipts – some costs might be tax-deductible as medical expenses (check with a CPA). If you need rides, the American Cancer Society’s “Road To Recovery” program has volunteers in many areas who drive patients to treatment appointments for free – call ACS (1-800-227-2345) to see if available near you. For long-distance travel, consider organizations that provide free flights or fuel assistance for medical travel. Mercy Medical Angels, for example, helps arrange no-cost airfare, bus or train tickets, and gas cards for patients who must travel long distances for care.

They partner with volunteer pilot groups and commercial airlines to help families in need. Angel Flight networks (regional groups of volunteer private pilots) also fly patients to treatment at no charge. If flying commercially, ask airlines about medical fare discounts or donated frequent flyer mile programs (some charities facilitate mile donations for patients). NeedyMeds maintains a list of programs that help with travel expenses as well. Finally, check if your insurance or Medicaid covers any travel cost: in some cases Medicaid will reimburse or arrange transport to medical appointments, especially for patients who qualify and have no other means. 

Plan Ahead for Parking & Incidentals:

Hospital parking fees, toll roads, meals on the road – these add up. See if the treatment center validates parking or offers discounted multi-day parking passes for patients. If you’re staying in a hotel or lodge, try to get a place with a kitchenette so you can cook some meals (saves dining-out costs). Pack a cooler with lunch or snacks on long treatment days or drives. Little savings each day compound over weeks of treatment. Also, ask your social worker about gas card programs – for example, some local charities or larger ones like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provide limited grants for gas and parking (LLS’s program is specific to blood cancers, but it shows the model). Even if that particular program isn’t for brain tumors, your social worker might know of similar assistance for solid tumor patients. 

Leverage Support Organizations for Travel Grants:

Several foundations include travel assistance in their support for brain tumor patients. For instance, Good Days is a national charity that provides financial support for medical care and travel costs for people with certain chronic diseases and cancers – they sometimes have funds for brain cancer patients in need (eligibility is income-based and tied to specific treatments/diagnoses).

HealthWell Foundation (mentioned earlier) also may cover travel expenses if you qualify for their brain tumor fund. CancerCare’s financial assistance program often helps with transportation (like reimbursing Uber rides or train tickets) for treatment – reach out to see if funds are currently available. Don’t forget disease-specific groups: the Musella Foundation (besides copay help) occasionally offers travel grants for clinical trial participation or can direct you to such opportunities – check their news or reach out via their patient navigation program.

The Lazarex Cancer Foundation focuses on helping patients afford travel for clinical trials, so if you are considering a trial for a brain tumor, Lazarex might assist with airfare or lodging costs for you and a companion. Tip: Keep a file with all travel-related receipts (gas, tickets, lodging, meals). Not only can this help you document need for grants or reimbursements, but some expenses might be deductible on taxes if they exceed a certain threshold of income. Always consult a tax professional for guidance. 

Backup Plans for Logistics:

Travel for treatment can be unpredictable. Try to have a “Plan B” fund or arrangement in case things change – for example, if you need to stay an extra week for complications, or if a caregiver has to fly in urgently. This could be a credit card reserved for emergencies or a relative who agrees to be “on call” to help with travel costs if needed. Also, if you’re driving a long distance, have a plan for roadside assistance or car maintenance before you start. Being prepared for contingencies will reduce panic if an unplanned expense pops up. 

Communicate with Your Medical Team:

Let your doctors and coordinators know that you are traveling from far away. Sometimes they can consolidate appointments (to minimize trips), or arrange home infusions/local lab tests in between major visits to cut down travel. If costs are a barrier, be honest – for instance, if you might miss an appointment due to lack of gas money or fare, tell them. They may have access to social work funds or samples to offset the need. Doctors want you to get care and often will work with you to tackle logistical problems once they’re aware. 

Download the checklist today and take control of your financial journey.

👉 Pro Tip: The WeTrials app includes trial finders and support tools for families coordinating treatment at multiple centers—making your journey smoother.