Local Co. To Help GBMC Cancer Patients With Transportation Costs

Local Company To Help GBMC Cancer Patients With Transportation Costs

Every day thousands of cancer patients need a ride to treatment, but some may not have a way to get there. For many cancer patients the cost of transportation is a hindrance to receiving timely and needed treatment. National statistics show that more than 60% of cancer patients missed, or were late, to an appointment because of transportation issues.

Saffer Plumbing, Heating and Electric in Baltimore, with the help of a specially decorated pink van, will be donating a portion of their business to Oncology Support Services at GBMC to help their cancer patients meet travel associated expenditures.

“Our Oncology Support Services department provides a wide variety of assistance to not only help patients get to and from their treatments, but we also offer free counseling, education, and connections to organizations that can help patients and families shoulder the burden of treatment. A donation like this makes a huge difference for our patients’ lives,” said Brandon Costantino, the Manager of the Oncology Support Program at GBMC’s Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute.

Many of GBMC cancer patients need a ride to receive timely treatment but lack consistent means of transportation. As a result, these patients turn to public transportation or rideshare companies which can cost them an average of $38.00 per visit. Most GBMC cancer patients require at least 10 appointments monthly.

Chris Saffer, President of Saffer Plumbing, Heating and Electric, was inspired to create this partnership following a recent meeting with a national group of small plumbing companies. During the virtual get together, another member mentioned they had added a pink truck to their fleet with proceeds benefiting breast cancer research and found it to be successful. Chris then presented the idea to his team, and they all responded positively.

Under this new partnership, Saffer will donate about $5,000 a year to GBMC. “Since our company has such a strong local history, and are based in the Baltimore area community, we felt it was important that we give back to our community,” said Saffer. “GBMC is close to our hearts - both of my children were born there, and my father in-law was a longtime physician there. This felt like a natural fit.”

The pink truck, selected at random, that will help in this effort belongs to plumber Vincent Lassahn. When Chris told Vincent that his truck would be wrapped in pink and provide this valuable service, Vincent was honored.

“My grandmother is a breast cancer survivor and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this great effort, “said Lassahn. “Recently one of our customers was not only happy with our timely service and hard work on their home improvement project, but when I told her that part of the proceeds from that day’s work would go to helping breast cancer patients, she was really touched, and it meant a lot to her being a cancer survivor herself.”

Through their familiarity and expertise with both GBMC and community-based support programs, Oncology Support Services at GBMC makes it possible for their patients to access a range of assistance programs including help with transportation to and from treatment visits for cancer patients who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves.

Costantino says that he’s thankful for Saffer’s generosity to help their patients. “Most of us have had a family member, friend or someone close battling cancer. Treatment is never easy, and at times the financial toll is overwhelming. We want to do everything we can to help meet basic financial needs, decrease stress levels and allow patients with cancer to focus on healing and this agreement will help us do just that,” added Costantino.