FREE TAXI RIDES FOR CANCER PATIENTS DURING CORONA – STORIES
-A mother needed to visit her young son, immunocompromised and in isolation in a hospital leukemia ward. We are making it possible for this mother to see her son often even during Corona.
-Lung cancer patient needed transport from Kiryat Gat to Be’er Sheva to start radiation therapy. Done!
-Brought a woman from Shlomi (very far north,) to Rambam in Haifa today for breast cancer treatment. Daughter was overwhelmed with gratitude. Mother would have had no other way to get to the hospital without this.
-A patient from Eilat with pancreatic cancer is being treated in Be’er Sheva. He needed to go to the hospital once in April in order to get special pills that he can take instead of having repeated chemotherapy infusions. No flights. His social worker reached out to the Israel Lemonade Fund asking if it was even possible to arrange a taxi from Eilat to Be’er Sheva. (Thanks to GETT for offering more than fair taxi fees,) we offered to help this man reach the hospital for his April appointment.
-A Bedouin woman needed breast cancer treatment. Impossible feat without public transportation. GETT found a way to get her from her village and we got her to her treatments.
-From a social worker: “The service is critical especially for those coming to Ein Karen from outside central Jerusalem. Wish it would continue forever…”
Stories of cancer patients who got to the hospital thanks to the Israel Lemonade Fund/Inbar and Marius Nacht Foundation/Gett Taxi partnership…..THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Israel Lemonade Fund is still helping needy patients with one time grants for non-medical expenses. Your donations are needed more than ever at this time. Thank you.
Link to apply for free taxi rides for cancer patients: https://lemonadefund.org/%d7%a7%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%94-taxi-2/
ANNOUNCING FREE TAXI RIDES TO CHEMO/RADIATION TREATMENTS DURING THE CORONA OUTBREAK, FOR NEEDY CANCER PATIENTS…
Thanks to the support of the Inbar and Marius Nacht Family Foundation, in partnership with GETT Taxi, the Israel Lemonade Fund EMERGENCY TAXI RIDES FOR CANCER PATIENTS APPEAL, is now able to expand to provide free taxi rides TO chemo/radiation treatments for needy cancer patients with ANY kind of cancer! (Not limited to breast cancer.)
On March 8, as public transportation was becoming restrictive, the Israel Lemonade Fund launched a TAXI appeal for needy breast cancer patients who had no way to get to their treatments. Thanks to the many of you who donated, we have been subsidizing taxi rides for patients since then.
When life give you lemons, make lemonade. That has been the motto of The Lemonade Fund which has provided emergency financial assistance to breast cancer patients in Israel since 2011. Life has given all us of lemons right now, but we can all keep on making lemonade. If you or someone you love needs taxi rides to cancer treatments, forward the application form to your hospital social worker so that he/she can submit an application for you. (Applications must come from hospital social workers.)
Link to Application Form:
https://lemonadefund.org/%d7%a7%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%94-taxi-
To make a donation to the Israel Lemonade Fund: https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
TAXI RIDES FOR CANCER PATIENTS – 2 PROFILES -WEEK 2
- 44 year old, married, 3 children, Stage 4, second diagnosis. Financial crisis in family. Immunocompromised but NO money for private taxi rides until the Lemonade Fund stepped in.
Kiryat Gat to Be’er Sheva for chemo and bio treatment.
Average taxi fare = NIS 230 ($65)
Awarded special TAXI grant of NIS 920 ($255) – 4 TAXI RIDES
- 57 year old married mother of one. Cashier, used up sick days, husband missing his shifts in factory to care for wife. Frantic about how to get to the hospital during Corona outbreak, until the Lemonade Fund helped.
Karmiel to Haifa for chemo/rads.
Average taxi fare from Carmiel to Haifa = NIS 180 ($50).
Awarded special TAXI grant of NIS 900 ($250) – 5 TAXI RIDES
The Lemonade Fund launched an urgent appeal on March 8, to help patients take private taxis, so that they will not miss their treatments during this difficult time. (For the average breast cancer patient: Radiation – 25 sessions. Chemotherapy – 12-24 sessions.) Cancer patients are being urged to avoid public transportation.
Average Israeli intra-city taxi fee: NIS 50 ($15)
Common Israeli inter-city taxi fee: NIS 180 ($50)
Please donate taxi rides, (one or more,) or any amount that you can. THANK YOU!
Cancer patients are being advised NOT to take public transportation during the Corona outbreak. Most needy Lemonade Fund applicants cannot afford taxis. (Health insurance only reimburses for public transportation or a taxi in one direction.)
We will continue to send money directly to patients in need as long as this emergency campaign is funded. Thank you to those who have already donated. (Tax deductible in Israel, US and other countries.)
UPDATE – TAXI RIDES FOR CANCER PATIENTS DURING CORONA OUTBREAK
(Updated, March 22, 2020) First five approved patients have already gotten the following TRANSPORTATION GRANTS with nine more on the way:
48 year old divorced mother of two, supermarket cashier, used up sick pay.
- Karmiel to Haifa for chemo.
- Average taxi fare from Carmiel to Haifa = NIS 180 ($50).
- Awarded special grant of NIS 900 ($250) – 5 taxi rides.
58 year old widowed mother of two, can’t work due to illness.
- Ofakim to Beer Sheva for chemo.
- Average taxi from Ofakim to Beer Sheva = NIS 100 ($28).
- Awarded special grant of NIS 900 ($250) – 9 taxi rides.
35 year old single mother of toddler, Stage 4.
- Needs city taxi rides in Nahariya to hospital for chemo.
- Average taxi fare = NIS 50 ($15)
- Awarded special grant of NIS 400 ($110) – 8 taxi rides.
67 year old divorced mother of two, pensionnaire.
- Needs city rides from Jaffa to Tel Aviv hospital for radiation.
- Average taxi fare = NIS 50 ($15)
- Awarded special grant of NIS 400 ($110) – 8 taxi rides.
44 year old single mother of 2 young children. Psych issues, abuse, PTSD. Bankrupt.
- Pardes Hana to Haifa for chemo and radiation.
- Average taxi fare = unknown, various routes.
- Awarded special grant of NIS 600 ($166) towards private taxi rides.
(March 22) Next set of grants slated to be awarded:
59 year old divorced mother of 2. Second diagnosis, deeply in debt.
- Bat Yam to Tel Aviv for last rounds of chemo.
- Average taxi fare = NIS 70 ($20)
- Awarded special grant of NIS 350 ($100) towards private taxi rides.
47 year old married mother of 8 (toddlers to young adult) Stage 4.
- Ramat Bet Shemesh to Jerusalem for chemo and bio treatments.
- Average taxi fare = NIS 220 ($60)
- Awarded special grant of NIS 880 ($245)
27 year old married mother of 2 young children, no family support, husband’s business recently closed. No income.
- Outskirts of Jerusalem to Jerusalem hospital for chemo.
- Average taxi fare = NIS 70 ($20)
- Awarded special grant of NIS 350 ($100) – toward private taxi rides.
41 year old, separated, 6 children. Worked in tourism sector, out of work. Father died, helping mother.
- Inner city Jerusalem to Jerusalem hospital for chemo.
- Average taxi fare = NIS 50 ($15)
- Awarded special grant of NIS 400 ($110) – 8 taxi rides.
44 year old, married, 3 children, Stage 4, second diagnosis. Financial crisis in family.
- Kiryat Gat to Be’er Sheva for chemo and bio treatment.
- Average taxi fare = NIS 230 ($65)
- Awarded special grant of NIS 920 ($255) – 4 taxi rides.
68 year old, widow, living alone on small pension. Stage 4, other health issues.
- Inner city Jerusalem to Jerusalem hospital for chemo.
- Average taxi fare = NIS 50 ($15)
- Awarded special grant of NIS 400 ($110) – 8 taxi rides.
49 year old, married, 4 children, Stage 4, second diagnosis, disabled son. Family member used to drive her, can’t now due to possible Corona infection.
- Needs city taxi rides in Nahariya to hospital for chemo.
- Average taxi fare = NIS 50 ($15)
- Awarded special grant of NIS 400 ($110) – 8 taxi rides.
57 year old married mother of one. Cashier, used up sick days, husband missing his shifts in factory to care for wife.
- Karmiel to Haifa for chemo/rads.
- Average taxi fare from Carmiel to Haifa = NIS 180 ($50).
- Awarded special grant of NIS 900 ($250) – 5 taxi rides.
Request for additional funds for A. below, granted:
44 year old single mother of 2 young children. Psych issues, abuse, PTSD. Bankrupt. (Additional NIS 300 added. March 22, to NIS 600 sent previously.)
Immunocompromised patients are being advised NOT to take public transportation during the Corona outbreak. Most needy Lemonade Fund applicants cannot afford taxis. (Health insurance only reimburses for public transportation or a taxi in one direction.)
We will continue to send money directly to patients in need as long as this emergency campaign is funded. Thank you to those who have already donated. (Tax deductible in Israel, US and other countries.)
URGENT APPEAL FOR CANCER PATIENTS DURING CORONA OUTBREAK
IMMEDIATE APPEAL FROM THE ISRAEL LEMONADE FUND:
The Coronavirus has created new and potentially expensive challenges for patients travelling to their chemotherapy/radiation treatments. They are immunocompromised, and they are being warned not to take public buses and trains.
“The early data from China, and reports from the ground in Italy and other sites of local transmission is that our cancer patients are going to be at increased risk,” said Dr. Steve Pergam, a clinical and infectious disease researcher at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, Washington.
Pergam said people currently in treatment, if at all possible, should avoid taking public buses or trains. But he also acknowledged not every patient can afford private car services or taxis. “Talk to your care team about what options exist to support you getting there without taking public transportation,” Pergam said.
Most indigent Israeli breast cancer patients can at most, only afford public transportation; many do not own cars. Our social workers at Breast Centers are reporting high levels of anxiety in their patients regarding this issue.
We are launching an urgent appeal to help patients take taxis, so that they will not miss their treatments during this difficult time. (For the average breast cancer patient: Radiation – 25 sessions. Chemotherapy – 12-24 sessions.)
Average Israeli intra-city taxi fee: NIS 50 ($15)
Common Israeli inter-city taxi fee: NIS 180 ($50)
Please donate taxi rides, (one or more,) or any amount that you can. Monies donated that are earmarked, ‘TRANSPORT’ will go specifically for this request. (Any leftover funds from this appeal will go towards regular transportation grants during, hopefully, better times.)
Tax deductible in US, Israel, Canada, UK and Australia.
Profiles in Courage – February 2020 – A Hard But Good Day at the Lemonade Fund
A good day at the Lemonade Fund is when you read the worst stories…so sad they make you weep…and then you jump in and help. What’s better than that?
R., is a 45 year old divorced mother of 3 children, ages 23, 13 and 10, diagnosed recently with Stage 4 breast cancer, metastasized to her liver. She’s waiting for special services to kick in but she has no savings and is supporting her family on a small income that is way beneath the poverty line. One of her children has special needs and R. is stressed all around, from illness, financial woes and worry. The Lemonade Fund awarded R. a generous grant so that she can breathe a bit easier during this difficult time, until more help arrives.
U. is 27, married with a 5 and a 7 year old. Her husband used to own a restaurant but after it failed, they declared bankruptcy. The family was just climbing out of debt when U. was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is now starting rigorous chemotherapy which will be followed by surgery. Her husband is finding work wherever he can and her mother cannot help U. because she herself has cancer. U.’s social worker applied to the Lemonade Fund for a grant to help pay for extra household and childcare help so that U. can focus on her treatment and recovery.
The Lemonade Fund, Israel’s only Breast Cancer Emergency Relief Fund.
TO DONATE: https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
Profiles in Courage – January 2020
G., 62, divorced, was a proudly self-supporting senior citizen until she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had worked as a bookkeeper and then transitioned to eldercare. Lymphedema, a side effect of surgery to remove malignant lymph glands, has caused limited mobility in her right arm and she can no longer do her job. She has become depressed due to her loss of independence and descent into poverty. A Lemonade Fund grant will tide her over until she gets National Insurance payments and can get back on her feet.
M. is a 41 year old married mother of 6, ranging in age from 7-16. Her husband worked in a supermarket until he got kidney disease; he is now getting dialysis and is disabled. M. was diagnosed with a second round of breast cancer in 2019 and the family (including 2 children with emotional problems,) is in financial crisis. The Lemonade Fund awarded M. a generous grant which included a supplemental food voucher from Myisrael (designated for Lemonade Fund grant recipients with families with young children.)
The Lemonade Fund – Israel’s only Breast Cancer Emergency Relief Fund, giving critical financial assistance during treatment so patients can focus on recovery.
To Donate: (Tax deductible in US, UK, Australia and Israel)
The Last Lemonade Fund Grant of 2019
E. is a middle-aged divorcee with two adult children; a son who is schizophrenic and daughter who works full-time and has young children. Over the years E. supported herself and her children with no help from her ex-husband or family, by working as a scientist. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer (and spinal problems,) and she has had to miss work due to the side effects of chemotherapy and pain. She has used up all of her sick leave and savings and she is very anxious about her financial situation. E. applied to the Lemonade Fund because she desperately needs extra help to get through this difficult time. This is exactly what we are here for…
The Lemonade Fund is Israel’s only Breast Cancer Emergency Relief Fund. We give one-time grants to indigent Israeli breast cancer patients to ease their financial stress while they are in treatment. So they can focus on themselves, not their money worries.
We wish E. and all of our 2019 Lemonade Fund grant recipients, good health, recovery and peace.
We wish all of our Lemonade Fund supporters, happy holidays and good wishes going into 2020. We owe you a huge THANK YOU for helping us make 2019 a year of growth and expansion into more Israeli breast centers. We helped a record number of patients this past year, thanks to you. There is so much more to do…here’s to accomplishing even more in 2020!
TO DONATE: https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
Profiles in Courage – November 2019
For almost 9 years the Lemonade Fund has been giving emergency financial grants to the neediest Israeli breast cancer patients. We are a small but efficient charity with almost 100% of the money you donate going straight to these patients. We have tripled the amount of grants given monthly since 2011, but we can only continue to do this with your help. Please consider donating to the Lemonade Fund: https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
A few November cases:
S. is a divorced housewife with 4 children, one of whom is disabled. The father fled to the US and doesn’t send child support. S. has struggled to support her family and managed. Until now. She has been diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer that has metastasized to her liver and lungs. One of the main functions of the Lemonade Fund is to lower the level of stress for families, during this difficult time. S. was awarded an emergency Lemonade Fund grant that we hope will give her some respite so she can focus on her treatment and her family.
A. is a 48 year old mother of 2 children, from the south. Sadly, both children were born with the gene for ALS, (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal neurological disease.) Her 21 year old son recently died from the disease and her 17 year old daughter is now confined to a wheelchair and is failing. Prior to the children developing ALS, A. worked as a caregiver for the elderly, however in July she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and she cannot work due to the side effects of the chemo. Her husband is unable to work full time and the family is having a hard time, financially. They were awarded a Lemonade Fund grant.
Average grant is NIS 2,100.
Thank you!
Profiles in Courage – October 2019 Lemonade Fund Grants
M., 33, has 2 young children, ages 3 and 5, and a new diagnosis of breast cancer. Hers is a good example of how a serious illness can propel a middle class family into financial crisis. Both she and her spouse had good jobs and were able to make payments on their mortgage and keep up with expenses. Until recently…Now M. cannot work during treatment and she has used up all of her sick leave. Her spouse is also losing income due to time off from work to care for his wife and children. Debts are piling up and they are consumed with worry. M. was given a Lemonade Fund grant to alleviate financial pressure so that she can focus on recovery.
G., 49, a Bedouin woman from the south, is the second wife of a man who is 20 years her senior and the mother of several children. She has been diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. She is in significant pain and is unable to care for herself or her family. This is terribly depressing to her. The social workers at Soroka Hospital submitted an application to the Lemonade Fund on her behalf asking for assistance with childcare and household help as well as transportation to treatments. A Lemonade Fund grant was awarded to help G. through this difficult time.
25% more Lemonade Fund grants were given in 2019 than in 2018. Breast cancer often hits young families in the middle of life. The Lemonade Fund is the only emergency financial relief fund in Israel. Please donate.
https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
Thank you! (Grants are available to qualified Israeli citizens within one year of diagnosis. Applications are available through social workers at breast centers in Israeli hospitals.)
