Compass to Care launches CARE & BACK™ to improve childhood cancer outcomes for Black and Latinx children
Two-year grant from The Abra Prentice Foundation, Inc. funds the program launch for Black and Latinx children
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, April 14, 2021: As the childhood cancer industry continues to identify ways to reduce the survival disparities faced by Black and Latinx children, Chicago-based Compass to Care, The Mike & Sandy Ernsdorff Childhood Cancer Foundation is launching its CARE & BACK™ program to address a critical need to access cancer treatment for Black and Latinx children.
For many of the most common forms of childhood cancer, survival is lower among Black and Latinx children, in comparison with non-Hispanic white children. Studies have linked much of this disparity to a family’s socio economic status (SES). It is believed that initiatives to reduce social and economic barriers to access effective cancer care could have a great impact on the overall survival rates for these children. One industry-recommended initiative is the supplementation of travel costs during a child’s cancer treatment.
Transportation is a basic, but necessary, step for on-going health care, especially for those with chronic diseases like cancer. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), transportation challenges prevent a staggering 3.6 million Americans from receiving medical care each year. Children with cancer are among these patients. For children whose families are facing poverty and/or cancer-related financial toxicity (CRFT), getting to treatment can be a real problem and these families need reliable access to Non Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT).
Compass to Care has a well-established program to successfully meet the NEMT needs of children traveling from suburban and rural communities. Care & Back™ will help us meet the needs of urban-based children, many of whom are Black and Latinx.
“As a leading provider of travel support for children with cancer in the United States, Compass to Care saw an opportunity to address the travel needs of Black and Latinx children who reside in urban communities and who are not supported by our current travel program,” commented Compass to Care founder Michelle Ernsdorff-May. “Building on our entrepreneurial experience, expertise in funding NEMT, and the partnerships we have formed over the past decade, we hope to increase cancer survival rates for these children by making all travel to Care & Back™ free.”
With a two year-grant from The Abra Prentice Foundation, Inc., Compass to Care will be able to provide NEMT for Black and Latinx children via a custom-built application using the Kaizen Health platform. Families living at or below 218% of the federal poverty level can request free rideshare rides, via the Kaizen Health web application, to consistently get their children to the medical center for cancer treatment and cancer-related medical appointments.
“We could not be more honored to partner with such a wonderful organization that is helping children in their fight against cancer,” commented Kaizen Health CEO, Mindi S. Knebel. “My mother-in-law faced challenges with transportation during her battle with breast cancer, which was half of the inspiration for starting the Kaizen Health. It makes me happy knowing how proud she would be of this important work that we get to play a role in by partnering with Compass to Care,” Knebel added.
The Abra Prentice Foundation has been a key funder for Compass to Care over the past seven years. Their funding of Care & Back™ has been instrumental in launching this program. Additional funding will be necessary to deliver this support network to children across the United States and the organization is currently seeking funders.
“Healthcare disparities exist, even for children with cancer. The best cancer treatment in the world cannot cure a child if they have no way to get there. We are hoping other companies and funders see how these racial disparities are affecting the survival of Black and Latinx children with cancer and will support our program to give each of them a fighting chance,” added Ernsdorff-May.
TO DISCUSS THE CARE & BACK™ PROGRAM AND FUNDING OR PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE CONTACT: Michelle Ernsdorff-May, Compass to Care Founder (312) 515-9490 • Michelle@CompassToCare.org
About Compass to Care: Compass to Care, The Mike & Sandy Ernsdorff Childhood Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides a free Non Emergency Medical Travel (NEMT) solution to access life-saving cancer treatment and clinical trials for children fighting cancer and living in families facing financial distress. To learn more visit www.CompassToCare.org