The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Program Team – Patient Emergency Needs Fund

We are a group of healthcare, allied health, and administrative professionals who work at The Ottawa Hospital’s Cancer Program to provide care for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, in addition to the physical and emotional toll that can come with a diagnosis of cancer, accessing cancer care can be costly even in a publicly funded system like Canada. Cancer patients are faced with transportation costs for appointments and treatments, the cost of having stable housing and a place to recover after treatments (that may be away from home), and costs for “supportive medications” (antinausea medications, medications for pain, etc.) that are not always covered to name a few. The Psychosocial Oncology Program (PSOP) and Patient Emergency Needs Fund (PENF) exist to help patients access supports for these types of expenses and to help cover the expenses while awaiting supports. This lets patients focus on getting treatment for their disease by mitigating some of the financial distress that can come with a diagnosis of cancer.

As a group of professionals caring for people with cancer, we meet individuals every day who are struggling with the costs from their disease. That is why, this year, we have chosen to raise money for the PSOP and PENF as part of the Ottawa Race Weekend. We appreciate any donations and encourage everyone to participate in the event in whatever way you are able, whether that be running, walking, cheering participants on, or sending good vibes on race day. Any of this could make a huge difference in someone’s life!