Travel Support to Treatment Centers for Thalassemia Patients
The Cooley’s Anemia Foundation (CAF) offers travel support to treatment centers to Thalassemia patients. We’re offering limited financial assistance to individuals with thalassemia who experience financial hardship due to travel expenses incurred in obtaining an annual comprehensive care evaluation or extraordinary thalassemia care at a major treatment center. (Extraordinary thalassemia care shall be defined as care recommended by a qualified thalassemia physician which falls outside regular transfusions or comprehensive care – for example, if a patient requires multiple MRI iron assessments which cannot be performed at their home treatment facility.)
The following are considered relevant for travel expenses and can be reimbursed (up to $500) upon submission of receipts:
- Transportation from home to treatment center and back for adult patient or for pediatric patient and one parent/guardian.
- Reimbursement of automobile travel, based upon mileage and utilizing IRS standard mileage rates for medical purposes (18 cents per mile for 2022). Mileage to be determined using distance from home to center and back.
- Basic overnight lodging costs (i.e., cost of room and applicable taxes) for adult patient or for pediatric patient and one parent/guardian. Extra costs (telephone, movie rental, etc.) will not be reimbursed.
- Reasonable meal expenditures for adult patient or for pediatric patient and one parent/guardian. Reimbursable meal costs may not exceed $60 total for one adult patient for one 24-hour period or $120 total for a pediatric patient and one parent/guardian for one 24-hour period
CAF will reimburse up to $500 in travel support to treatment center expenses to qualified applicants. Reimbursements will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis until funding for the period has been exhausted. No one thalassemia patient may receive more than $500 travel reimbursement on an annual basis under the terms of this program. Families with more than one child with thalassemia may be reimbursed for up to $500 for each child. Travel must have occurred on or after July 1, 2022.
Because funds are limited, patients are encouraged to check with CAF in advance if they are planning on utilizing this program for reimbursement. CAF will make every effort to assist qualified applicants but cannot provide funding once it is exhausted for the year. Total funding for the initial year is $30,000.
Full information and an application form can be downloaded here.