I wish to make one correction to the Oct. 12 article by staff writer Lester Chang about cancer care on Kaua’i (“Panel requests cancer radiation center on Kaua’i”). The American Cancer Society on Kaua’i covers the cost of one round-trip
I wish to make one correction to the Oct. 12 article by staff writer Lester
Chang about cancer care on Kaua’i (“Panel requests cancer radiation center on
Kaua’i”).
The American Cancer Society on Kaua’i covers the cost of one
round-trip airline ticket, per patient, per year, for treatment on Oahu. The
article stated that “the offer extends only to patients undergoing radiation
treatment.” While radiation is indeed the most frequent reason that cancer
patients travel off island, it is not the only reason. Thanks to generous
funding by individuals and grants from the Visitor Industry Charity Walk,
Vidinha Trust and the Wilcox, Kushkin and Knudsen family foundations, American
Cancer Society is able to provide air transportation to patients for additional
services.
Kaua’i residents can rest assured they will receive a round trip
for high-dose chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, peripheral stem cell
transplants, surgical reconstruction (i.e., breast), staging surgeries, PET
scans, CEA scans, and treatment for uncommon diagnoses. In addition, children
being treated at Kapi’olani, and an accompanying parent, receive
tickets.
We are proud to provide air transportation, and hope this service
helps ease the burden of cancer on our patients and their families.
We are
grateful to Aloha Airlines for discounted fares. And we are indebted to the
donors who make the wings of care possible.
MARY WILLIAMSON, executive
director
American Cancer Society-Kaua’i
