counseling and resource center for cancer patients - serving the east end free of charge

Transportation

Coping with cancer means coping with numerous, ongoing doctor appointments. Being able to get around is vital. Transportation services are available through private car services or taxis, volunteer transportation services (sometimes run by local religious groups or agencies) or low-cost van services run by community agencies. There are some local town sponsored programs. Check with your town or village for schedules.

Challenge: How can I find the transportation I need to get to and from all of my doctor’s appointments?

Solution: The first step in planning your transportation needs is assessing your resources. Your transportation options will typically fall into one of three categories: self/community, public and private. Tailoring a transportation plan to your needs may involve drawing on a combination of all three. Below you will find a description of these categories and a listing of specific transportation resources in your area.

Self/Community Transportation:

Road to Recovery/Transportation ................................................1-800-227-2345
American Cancer Society offers volunteers to drive ambulatory patients to chemotherapy and radiation. ACS also provides taxi assistance and financial assistance by a Transportation Coordinator. Support available in Spanish and other languages.

If you have access to a car, you may choose to drive yourself to and from appointments. You may also create a network of volunteer drivers among your family and friends to pitch in for driving duty.

Public Transportation:

Public Transportation on the East End Bus System or through the Senior Citizen Shuttle Services is an inexpensive option for getting around.
Suffolk County Transit Service ....................................................631-852-5200

For specific bus schedule information, call for assistance, refer to bus schedules on www.sct-bus.org or pick up a bus schedule at your village or town hall.

Suffolk County Accessible Transportation
Provides curb-to-curb service to those with permanent or temporary disabilities. Must register in advance and must be deemed elligible by calling ........ 631-738-1150
http://www.sct-bus.org/scat.html

Southampton Town Senior Citizen
Shuttle Program ............................................................................. 631-728-1110

East Hampton Town Dept.of Human Services
Senior Shuttle ................................................................................ 631-324-4443

Private Transportation:

Door-to-door service is available from a number of private taxi companies on the East End.

Ace Taxi (One-day notice for appointment)
Discounts available-Contact Fighting Chance for more information
Service from Amagansett to Westhampton to Riverhead ....................................................... 516-383-2343

Hampton Coach Taxi
(Medicaid accepted-prior approval required)
Southampton .................................................................................. 631-283-0242
Riverhead/Aquebogue ................................................................... 631-727-6088
East Hampton/Bridgehampton....................................................... 631-324-7777
Greenport/Mattituck ...................................................................... 631-477-2227
Westhampton ................................................................................. 631-288-4044
Hampton Bays ............................................................................... 631-728-0050

Hampton Jitney
Discounts available for cancer patients by calling CancerCare, Inc.
(Schedule available on-line)
www.hamptonjitney.com ................................................................ 631-283-4600
CancerCare, Roberta Johnson ........................................................ 516-364-8130, ext.100

Lindy’s Ambulette Service
Provides medical transport for a fee.
390 East Suffolk Avenue
Islandia, NY 11749 .................................................................................... 631-342-8888

McRides, Junior’s Taxi
(Medicaid accepted with prior approval)
Discounted rates available-contact Fighting Chance for more information
Riverhead ................................................................................................... 631-727-0707
Southampton .............................................................................................. 631-283-1900
Hampton Bays ........................................................................................... 631-728-5100
Westhampton Beach .................................................................................. 631-288-3252
Shirley/Mastic/Moriches ........................................................................... 631-395-1111

Transportation Matters
Paratransit, Non-Emergency Medical Transport
105 Newtown Lane
East Hampton, NY 11937 .......................................................................... 631-338-5913

Tip #11 Getting to your Doctor Appointments on Time
Organizing a transportation plan is one of the most useful life skills that a cancer patient can develop. It’s similar to setting up a carpool. You puzzle out who can drive when, enlist family and friends for your team of drivers and then put together a schedule on your bulletin board.

When diagnosed with cancer, you may be surprised at the growing number of doctor appointments you have! You are seeing different types of doctors (for starters, your GP and oncologist) and may be undergoing several different tests and therapies.

Getting to all of these appointments (on time) is another “life skill” and an important way for cancer patients to help themselves, and make their doctors’ jobs easier.

Tip #12 The “Jitney”
This is a transportation “lifeline” which links the villages of the East End to New York City and runs as often as 10 times per day. Fares can change and some are adjusted for senior citizens, cancer patients and those traveling with them.. Although the phone number has already been noted it will be repeated here... 631-283-4600 or 1-800-936-0400.

Long Distance Travel for Treatment
Corporate Angel Network.Inc.
Finds free airfare transportation (on corporate planes) for ambulatory cancer patients who need medical treatment.
Westchester County Airport, 1 Loop Road,
White Plains, NY 10604 ............................................................................ 914-328-1313
www.corpangelnetwork.org

Reimbursement
Helps with payments for transportation:
CancerCare of Long Island ........................................................................ 516-364-8130
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society ..................................................... 631-752-8500
South Fork Breast Health Coalition ........................................................... 631-726-8606
The American Cancer Society ................................................................... 800-227-2345

For Additional Resources please contact:

Fighting Chance
P.O. Box 1358
Sag Harbor, NY 11963...............................................................................631-725-4646

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