San Antonio – ThriveWell, a local nonprofit that has long provided complimentary rides to cancer patients, announced a temporary suspension of its transportation program. The pause, effective until after Oct. 31, affects roughly 1,400 low‑income clients who rely on the service to get to and from radiation, chemotherapy and other oncology appointments.
Funding shortfall forces pause
Executive Director Erin Ercoline explained that the organization’s transportation budget now exceeds $1.1 million annually, while funding has not kept pace with rising costs. “Unfortunately, while the need for transportation support has continued to grow, available funding has not kept pace with the expenses required to provide this essential assistance,” Ercoline said in a statement. “This was a beyond difficult decision.”
ThriveWell began notifying hospitals of the pause on Aug. 21 and has been urging patients to explore other resources, such as insurance‑provided transportation, oncology practice assistance, or hospital‑run services.
Patients feel the impact
For patients like Claudia Garcia, the loss of free rides is a serious hardship. Garcia, who receives daily radiation at UT Health San Antonio’s Mays Cancer Center, described the service as a lifeline. “It’s very necessary for people who can’t drive, people who don’t have family or friends who can take them,” she said. “If you miss one, that can put back your prognosis.”
When the pause took effect, the Mays Cancer Center stepped in to cover Garcia’s rides through Lyft. While grateful for the hospital’s assistance, Garcia worries that other patients may struggle with rideshare apps or lack alternative options.
Seeking community support
Ercoline emphasized that no other nonprofit in the area offers the same level of transportation support for cancer‑center patients. ThriveWell is now seeking additional help, whether through private donations or partnerships with hospitals willing to provide their own transportation services.
The organization’s major fundraising events are slated for the fall, beginning this week and continuing through October. Ercoline hopes the campaigns will generate enough funds to restart the rides program after Oct. 31.
How patients can get help now
During the temporary suspension, ThriveWell advises patients to contact their insurance carriers, oncology practices, or treating hospitals to inquire about available transportation resources. The nonprofit’s website also offers information for those interested in contributing to the program.
Community members who wish to support the cause can learn more and donate via ThriveWell’s online portal.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
