Airbnb has partnered with a central Ohio organization to offer free housing to patients who travel over 100 miles for treatment.
"We see approximately 1,100 people here a year and I would say about 10 percent of people are traveling at least at some point in their treatment," said Angie Santangelo, clinical program director for the Cancer Support Community. "So, it may be traveling to get a second opinion, [or] traveling to get a specific treatment."
The Cancer Support Community is a nonprofit network of cancer support. The organization has partnered with Airbnb to provide free housing for cancer patients and their caregivers. Airbnb is providing $1.2 million in grant funding to help absorb the cost.
"I’m over the moon," said Theresa Martin, who travels to the Cleveland Clinic for treatment. "I had to travel there in March and I had four appointments and they weren't able to get all of my appointments scheduled for the same day, so I did have to have an overnight stay... there were lots of parts and pieces to the puzzle to make it all come together."
Martin says she is thrilled to know there is now a resource offering free housing for cancer patients. She believes the program will relieve stress for thousands of patients.
"A lot of times, people don’t realize the resources that are available," she said. "That is just phenomenal."
There are certain geographic and income criteria for the program. For more information and to learn how to apply, call (877) 793-0498.