Battling lung cancer, Charles Wilcher travels 87 miles each way from McMinnville to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville for treatment.
With gas prices at record highs, patients like him are struggling to afford travel expenses on their own.
"It just lasts for a few minutes, but living in McMinnville, you still had the burden of being down here," he told News 2.
At first, Wilcher, who was diagnosed in February and told by doctors he needed chemotherapy and daily radiation, was driving more than two hours a day for treatment.
It didn't take long for the bills to add up.
To help Wilcher make ends meet, Vanderbilt offered to pay for his gas.
Through a transportation grant from the American Cancer Society, the hospital was given gas cards to help patients who need help getting to and from treatment.
As the price of gas has continued to climb, however, the funding has run out.
"For some folks who come through our door... Financially it is very stressful," said Cindy Tinker, a social worker at Vanderbilt. "Those gas cards go quickly... They're a very hot commodity for folks."
To help patients like Wilcher, send your donations to the Caring Hearts Foundation at:
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Gift Processing
Caring Hearts Fund Station B #357727
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37235
Charles Wilcher
