Before You Apply

You may be eligible for assistance if you:

• Are 18 years of age or older

• Have, or are being evaluated for, a cancer diagnosis

• Live in Tennessee, Arkansas, or Mississippi

• Need to travel at least 100 miles from home for specialized cancer care that is not reasonably available closer to you

• Have a demonstrated financial need related to travel for cancer care

• Have upcoming travel for cancer diagnosis, treatment, or ongoing surveillance/follow-up care

• Have an oncology social worker, patient navigator, or physician who can complete a brief Care Team Certification

You do not have to be in a particular income bracket to apply. Applicants may receive Bridge the Distance Fund assistance no more than once within a 12-month period.

Cancer-related financial need looks different for every person and family. We rely on your care team's professional judgment rather than asking you to prove financial need through tax returns, bank statements, or other financial records. Wondering how we define “demonstrated financial need”? Check out our Financial Need Guidance document for more details.

How We Can Help

Bridge the Distance may provide assistance for eligible travel expenses related to cancer care, including:

• Airfare

• Lodging

• Fuel for personal vehicle travel

• Rental cars

• Uber or Lyft

Most grants are up to $1,500, although requests are considered based on individual circumstances and available funding.

Want to know more about how we can help? Check out our Travel Assistance Guidelines.

The Application Process

STEP 1: Complete the Patient Application

Tell us a little about yourself, where you live, where you're traveling for care, when you need to travel, and what kind of travel assistance you are requesting.

We'll also ask you to provide estimated costs for the assistance you're requesting, such as a flight or lodging estimate.

Please DO NOT purchase your travel before applying. If your application is approved, we will issue gift cards to your preferred vendors so you can purchase and manage your travel independently. We are unable to reimburse for previously purchased amounts.

STEP 2: Ask your Care Team to certify your eligibility

A member of your oncology care team will complete a separate, brief Care Team Certification.

This may be completed by people like:

• Social Worker

• Navigator

• Doctor

• Advance Practice Provider (NP, PA, APRN, etc.)

• Nurse

Your care team member will confirm that you have, or are being evaluated for, a cancer diagnosis; that you have upcoming cancer-related care at their facility; that you need to travel for specialized care or expertise that is not reasonably available closer to home; and that you have demonstrated financial need.

They do not need to send us your medical records.

We will provide this link to your care team directly if you give us their email. If you don’t have an email address for them, we will also send you the link for this form so you can give it to them via MyChart or other messaging platform.

Curious about what’s on the form? Check out this PDF of the Care Team Certification.

STEP 3: We review your request

Once we receive both your Patient Application and Care Team Certification, your request will be reviewed for eligibility and available funding.

We consider the circumstances of your travel, the costs you've submitted, and whether those costs are reasonable for the trip you need to make.

If something is missing or we need clarification, we'll contact you. An incomplete application does not automatically mean your request will be denied.

STEP 4: We let you know our decision

We'll contact you after your application has been reviewed. Our goal is to communicate back to you within 5 calendar days after we receive the Care Team Certification.

Depending on your request and available funding, your application may be:

• Approved as requested

• Approved for a modified amount

• Held while we request additional information

• Unable to be funded

All assistance is subject to available funding.

STEP 5: If approved, confirm your travel costs

If your application is approved, there is one more step before we send your travel assistance.

We’ll send you a short form asking you to confirm the travel arrangements you plan to purchase with your grant. At this stage, we’ll need the specific vendor and current cost for each approved expense.

For example, we may ask you to provide:

• Your proposed flight and current airfare

• Your hotel or lodging selection and current cost

• Your rental car company and current cost

• Your preferred fuel or rideshare provider, when applicable

You’ll also be asked to upload a screenshot, PDF, itinerary, or similar documentation showing the current price and travel details.

You do not need to purchase or book these expenses first. This information allows us to confirm the final amount and make sure we issue your assistance for the correct vendor for the correct amount.

Because travel prices can change, the final amount of assistance may be adjusted based on the actual cost at the time your award is finalized.

STEP 6: We send your travel assistance

Once we’ve confirmed your travel costs and vendor information, we’ll issue your approved assistance, generally through electronic gift cards for the specific travel provider or retailer you selected.

Bridge the Distance is designed to help before you travel, rather than asking you to pay for everything yourself and wait to be reimbursed.

You remain in control of your travel arrangements. You make your own reservations and purchases using the assistance provided, and you can work directly with the travel provider if your care schedule changes.

STEP 7: Send us your receipts

After using your Bridge the Distance assistance, you’ll need to provide receipts or booking confirmations showing how the funds were used.

This helps us document that grant funds were used for the approved travel expenses, remain accountable to our donors, and continue helping other patients get to the care they need.

Questions?

Check out our FAQ page for more information.

Or, you can contact us at connect@bridgethedistance.org. We’d love to help!