Funding to cover food and gasoline are consistently cited as major needs for families facing the unexpected diagnosis of cancer.

The cost of childhood cancer can be devastating to any family. The average cost of one hospitalization during cancer treatment is $40,000. A child may be hospitalized several times during their cancer treatment, which can last from months to years based on the type of cancer treatment. 

In addition, the average family with a child undergoing cancer treatment will spend at least $10,000 annually on non-medical costs such as gas, parking, additional childcare, and meals in the hospital and on the go. These costs, along with the regular day-to-day expenses of living that do not stop when a family has a child with cancer, contribute to the financial stress of families.

Children’s Cancer Network works to help these families by providing gas and food cards.

If needed, this program can expand to include bus passes and cafeteria passes to families in need.

Working collaboratively with Arizona’s pediatric oncology health care teams at Phoenix Children’s Hospital; Banner Children’s Hospitals including Cardon Children’s Medical Center; Banner Thunderbird Children’s Center; and Diamond Children’s at University of Arizona, families in need are identified and the appropriate cards are distributed.

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