Frequently Asked Questions
For Patients & Applicants
Who is eligible to apply for assistance?
Bridge the Distance Fund supports adults who reside in Tennessee, Arkansas, or Mississippi and must travel at least 100 miles from home to access specialized cancer care that is not reasonably available closer to home. Applicants must have, or be undergoing evaluation for, a cancer diagnosis and demonstrate financial need related to the cost of traveling for care.
Eligible travel may be for diagnostic evaluation, active treatment, or ongoing cancer surveillance and follow-up care. At this time, applicants are eligible to receive assistance from Bridge the Distance once every 12 months. If 12 months have passed since your last assistance from Bridge the Distance and you need financial support for additional cancer-related care, you are encouraged to apply again.
What does Bridge the Distance mean by “demonstrated financial need”?
We know that cancer-related travel can create a financial burden for people across a wide range of circumstances. Financial need is not determined by income alone.
We consider whether the cost of traveling for specialized cancer care creates a meaningful financial burden for you or your household. Factors may include time away from work, unpaid leave, medical expenses, repeated travel, extended lodging, caregiving responsibilities, limited insurance coverage for travel, or other circumstances. For more information on our definition of “demonstrated financial need”, please see this Financial Need Guidance.
We do not currently require tax returns, bank statements, or pay stubs.
Do I have to be in active cancer treatment to qualify?
No. Assistance may be available for travel related to diagnostic evaluation, active cancer treatment, or ongoing cancer surveillance and follow-up care. When funding is limited, requests related to a new diagnosis or active treatment may receive priority.
Why does my care need to be at least 100 miles from home?
Bridge the Distance was created specifically to address the added financial burden patients face when specialized cancer care requires significant travel. To be eligible, the facility where you are receiving care must be at least 100 miles from your home, and the care or specialized expertise you need must not be reasonably available closer to home.
Does my health insurance matter?
Having health insurance does not prevent you from applying. Health insurance may cover your medical treatment while leaving you responsible for the cost of getting to that care and staying away from home. We exist to help close this gap.
What travel expenses can Bridge the Distance help with?
Depending on your approved request and available funding, assistance may be available for eligible expenses such as airfare, lodging, rental cars, fuel, bus or train transportation, and certain local transportation associated with your cancer care.
Not every travel-related expense is eligible. Please review our Travel Assistance Guidelines before applying.
Can I apply if I’ve received help from another organization?
Absolutely. Receiving assistance elsewhere does not automatically make you ineligible. We ask that you tell us about other assistance related to the travel you're requesting so we can understand what need remains. We recognize that many patients will be able to access supports from different organizations to fill various gaps in their travel needs.
How much assistance can I receive?
Bridge the Distance typically provides travel assistance awards of up to $1,500. The amount awarded depends on your individual travel needs, eligible expenses, available funding, and other factors considered during the review process.
Do I need to book my flight or hotel before I apply?
No. Please do not purchase travel expenses in anticipation of receiving assistance.
When you apply, we ask for your best estimate of your anticipated travel costs. You do not need to make a reservation or purchase anything before submitting your initial application. Bridge the Distance does not provide reimbursements. We exist to reduce barriers for patients, and we recognize that requiring patients to pay upfront presents a barrier for many patients. Therefore, we provide funding upfront to approved grant recipients.
Do I need to upload flight, hotel, or rental car quotes with my application?
No. We intentionally keep the initial application process as simple as possible. You will provide estimated costs when you apply, but screenshots, PDFs, itineraries, or other pricing documentation are not required with the initial application.
If your application is approved, we will ask you for current pricing and travel details before your award is finalized.
What happens if my application is approved?
Approval is the first step toward receiving your travel assistance.
After approval, we will send you a short form asking you to confirm the travel expenses you plan to purchase. You'll provide the specific vendor, current cost, travel details, and a screenshot, PDF, itinerary, or similar documentation showing the current price.
We use this information to confirm your final award amount and determine the appropriate travel provider or retailer for your assistance.
How will I receive my assistance?
Once your approved travel costs and vendor information have been confirmed, Bridge the Distance generally provides assistance through electronic gift cards for the specific travel provider or retailer associated with your approved expenses.
You then use that assistance to make your own travel arrangements. We know that cancer-related care often requires flexibility of travel plans, and we want the patient to remain in control of their plans.
Bridge the Distance does not currently operate as a reimbursement program, so you should not purchase travel with the expectation that we will reimburse you later.
What if the price changes between my application and booking?
We understand that airfare, hotels, rental cars, and other travel costs can change. That's one reason we ask for estimated costs on the initial application and current pricing after approval.
Your final assistance amount will be based on your approved expenses, current travel needs, available funding, and our Travel Assistance Guidelines.
What if my appointment dates change?
We know cancer care doesn't always follow the original schedule. Contact us if your plans change, and we'll work with you to determine what changes can be made to your approved assistance.
Will I need to submit receipts?
Yes. After using your assistance, you'll be asked to provide receipts, booking confirmations, or other proof of purchase showing that the assistance was used for the approved travel expenses.
Can Bridge the Distance pay for my caregiver's travel?
At this time, Bridge the Distance's funding is focused on the patient's eligible travel expenses. Please review our Travel Assistance Guidelines for current details.
How quickly will I receive a decision?
Because we understand the urgency of making travel arrangements for cancer-related care, we aim to provide a response to you within 5 calendar days. If your travel is coming up very soon, please make note of that in your application and we will make every effort to expedite our decision.
What happens if Bridge the Distance Fund gets more eligible applications than it can fund?
Bridge the Distance Fund aims to help as many eligible patients as possible, but available funding may not always be sufficient to fund every eligible request.
When funding is limited, we may prioritize applications based on factors such as the timing and type of cancer care, urgency of upcoming travel, travel-related financial burden, travel distance and complexity, and other circumstances that may increase a patient's need for assistance.
First-time applicants may also receive priority over previous grant recipients when other circumstances are substantially similar.
Meeting all eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding.
For Oncology Social Workers, Patient Navigators & Care Teams
Why does Bridge the Distance require a Care Team Certification?
The Care Team Certification provides independent confirmation that the patient meets key program requirements. It helps Bridge the Distance maintain a fair and responsible grantmaking process without requiring patients to submit extensive medical or financial documentation.
Who can complete the Care Team Certification?
The Care Team Certification should be completed by a member of the patient’s care team who can provide information about their appointments, type of cancer, and other logistical information. It’s also important that the Care Team Certification be completed by someone who can verify the patient’s financial need. We recommend having a Social Worker, Patient Navigator, Doctor, Advance Practice Provider (NP, PA, APRN, etc.), Nurse, or similar professional complete this certification.
What am I being asked to certify?
The certification asks the care team member to confirm key eligibility information, including that the patient:
Has, or is being evaluated for, a cancer diagnosis
Has upcoming diagnostic evaluation, treatment, or surveillance/follow-up care at the facility
Will travel at least 100 miles from home for that care
Requires care or specialized expertise that is not reasonably available closer to home
Has demonstrated financial need related to the costs of traveling for cancer care
How should I determine whether a patient has demonstrated financial need?
Bridge the Distance does not use an income-only definition of financial need. We rely on the professional judgment of the referring oncology social worker or patient navigator to determine whether cancer-related travel creates a meaningful financial barrier for the patient or household. For additional information about how we define financial need, please see our Financial Need Guidance document.
Do I need to collect or submit financial documents from the patient?
No. At this time, Bridge the Distance does not currently require tax returns, bank statements, or pay stubs as part of the certification process. We recognize that costs of living, travel cost, and other burdens vary widely based on a number of factors. We trust the professional judgment of the care team member completing the certification.
Do I need to provide the patient's medical records?
No. Bridge the Distance does not need detailed medical records, pathology reports, treatment plans, or other extensive clinical documentation to review an application.
Does completing the certification guarantee that the patient will receive assistance?
No. The certification confirms information used to determine eligibility. Funding decisions are made separately by Bridge the Distance and depend on the complete application, eligible travel expenses, program guidelines, prioritization, and available funding.
How quickly should I complete the certification?
The Care Team Certification is a critical component of our evaluation process. The sooner you complete the Care Team Certification, the sooner we can evaluate the patient’s application. We aim to communicate a decision to the patient within five calendar days of receiving the Care Team Certification.
For Donors & Supporters
What does my donation support?
Donations help Bridge the Distance provide travel assistance to eligible cancer patients who must travel significant distances to access specialized care.
Funding may help with eligible expenses such as airfare, lodging, rental cars, fuel, and other approved transportation costs.
How does Bridge the Distance decide who receives assistance?
Applicants must meet established eligibility requirements and complete Bridge the Distance's application process. A member of the patient's care team independently certifies key eligibility criteria, including the need for specialized cancer care and demonstrated financial need related to travel.
Eligible applications are reviewed using consistent criteria, and awards are subject to available funding.
Does Bridge the Distance give patients cash?
No. Bridge the Distance generally provides approved assistance through vendor-specific electronic gift cards rather than unrestricted cash.
Before assistance is issued, approved applicants provide current pricing and vendor information for their proposed travel expenses. Recipients are also required to provide documentation showing how the assistance was used.
How do you make sure assistance is used for its intended purpose?
Approved assistance is tied to eligible travel expenses. Recipients provide current travel pricing before assistance is issued and are required to submit receipts or other proof of purchase after using their award.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. Bridge the Distance Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations made to support Bridge the Distance Fund are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Social Good Fund’s EIN is 46-1323531.
Can my company or organization support Bridge the Distance?
We would love to talk with you about ways your organization can support our mission through corporate sponsorships, charitable giving, employee engagement, matching gifts, fundraising partnerships, or other opportunities. You can check out our Ways to Give page for more information.
About Bridge the Distance
What is Bridge the Distance Fund?
Bridge the Distance Fund is a fiscally sponsored charitable project that helps cancer patients access specialized care by reducing the financial burden of traveling for diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and ongoing cancer care. We provide assistance for eligible travel and lodging expenses so patients can focus more on their care and less on the cost of getting there.
Why was Bridge the Distance created?
Bridge the Distance Fund was created from firsthand experience with the unexpected financial burden of traveling for specialized cancer care. Even with health insurance, expenses like airfare, lodging, rental cars, and time away from work can add up quickly. Bridge the Distance exists to help ensure that the cost of getting there doesn’t stand between a patient and the cancer care they need.
Why does Bridge the Distance focus on travel?
Specialized cancer care isn’t always available close to home. For many patients, getting the care they need means traveling hundreds or even thousands of miles, often more than once. While insurance may cover medical care, it often doesn’t cover the added costs of getting there and staying there. Bridge the Distance helps ease that burden so distance doesn’t become a barrier to accessing the right cancer care.
What states does Bridge the Distance currently serve?
Bridge the Distance Fund is starting in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi so we can serve patients responsibly and make the greatest impact with the resources we have today. By beginning with a focused geographic area, we can build a strong, sustainable program and ensure our funding reaches patients effectively. As our resources and capacity grow, we hope to expand our reach and help more cancer patients overcome the financial barriers of traveling for specialized care.
Is Bridge the Distance a nonprofit organization?
Bridge the Distance Fund is a fiscally sponsored charitable project of Social Good Fund, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Through this fiscal sponsorship, Bridge the Distance can receive tax-deductible charitable contributions and operate its programs under Social Good Fund’s nonprofit structure and oversight.
How can I contact Bridge the Distance?
We’d love to hear from you. For general questions, partnerships, ways to support our work, or questions about patient assistance or the application process, email connect@bridgethedistance.org.
You can also reach us by mail at:
Bridge the Distance Fund
1779 Kirby Parkway #10486
Memphis, TN 38138
Please note that this is our mailing address only and is not a physical office location.