THE LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY - TOHONO OODHAM 2017.PDF

Last updated: 05/04/2017
General information
Organization The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Contact First name NAOMI
Contact Last name MARTINEZ
Contact e-mail naomi.martinez@lls.org
Contact phone number 6025677612
Address
Street 3877 N 7th St Ste 300
City Phoenix
State Arizona
ZIP Code 85014
From what tribe is the Tohono O’odham Nation
organization requesting the
grant?
Total grant amount request 25000
1 / 1



Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Local Travel Assistance Program Proposal
a) Explain the perceived need and explain how the proposal will address that need
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) respectfully requests a grant in the amount
of $25,000 from the Tohono O’odham Nation for our local Travel Assistance Program
(TAP). LLS's Patient Travel Assistance Program, provides financial assistance to people
diagnosed with a blood cancer who struggle to pay for treatment-related transportation
and/or lodging costs (e.g., parking, tolls, gasoline, plane or train tickets, temporary
housing). Qualified patients receive an annual stipend of $500 to help cover these
expenses. Applicants to the program must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Applicants (patients) must be US citizens or permanent residents; and
• Applicants must have a confirmed blood cancer diagnosis; and
• Applicants must meet financial eligibility criteria defined as an annual household
income at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. *
This grant will be 100% restricted to LLS’s Patient Travel Assistance Program and will
aid blood cancer patients with financial need in the state of Arizona by helping to cover
treatment-related travel and lodging expenses. LLS has recognized this as an area of
unmet patient need and a significant barrier to access for many patients. Tohono
O’odham support will help LLS break down this financial barrier and allow more patients
to access the care they need.
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,180 for each additional
person. Persons in Household Poverty Guideline 500% Above Guideline
1 $12,060 $60,300
2 $16,240 $81,200
3 $20,420 $102,100
4 $24,600 $123,000
5 $28,780 $143,900
6 $32,960 $164,800
7 $37,140 $185,700

8 $41,320 $185,700
The 2017 poverty guidelines are in effect as of January 26, 2017. Income can also be
impacted by the Cost of Living Index (COI) in your area. To be eligible for the Travel
Assistance Program, your household income must be at or below 500% of the Federal
Poverty Level as adjusted by the COI
Source: https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines, Adapted by The Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society’s Travel Assistance
b) Describe the population who will benefit from the proposal if approved
There will be an estimated 33,000 new cases of blood cancer in Arizona this year. LLS
anticipates an increase in need as the incidence of blood cancer continues to rise.
Blood cancers occur in individuals of all ages and gender. There are very few known
causes of blood cancers and no opportunities for prevention or early detection. The
Travel Assistance Program (TAP) will serve blood cancer patients residing within the 15
counties in the state of Arizona. We have initiated the program because patient
feedback consistently identified financial assistance as an area of unmet need. Often
times a lack of financial resources represent a significant barrier to access of proper
necessary care. While LLS does offer co-pay assistance to help with insurance co-pay
obligations and premiums, the expenses of traveling to and from treatments can be
quite substantial and these expenses are not covered under the co-pay program. LLS
will target the assistance to those who need it most by requiring an attestation of
financial need. LLS regularly receives calls from patients in crisis who cannot move
forward with potentially life-saving treatments because they cannot afford to pay for
transportation to get to their providers, e.g., doctors, hospitals, transplant centers, and
research or clinical trial centers. As patients increasingly need to travel to see a
specialist for treatment, follow-up, or special tests to make the most of their chance to
fight for life, these costs and burdens are only increasing. Some patients have no
transplant center in their state or surrounding area and they are faced with the
challenges of flying to a treatment center and residing far from home for an extended
period of time. Other patients who are immuno-compromised cannot take public
transportation. Taxi fares or the cost of gas, tolls and parking fees to get to numerous
appointments over weeks, months or years is a great burden. Regardless of geography,
the out-of-pocket costs associated with traveling for care are prohibitive for many
patients and reduces the funds available for basic needs such as food, shelter and
utilities. Oncologists and practice managers rely heavily on advocacy organizations
like LLS to provide reimbursement for treatment-related expenses like transportation to
assist patients’ access to care (2012 Kantar Health Oncologist and Practice Manager
Surveys). LLS is viewed by healthcare professionals as a crucial resource that provides
education and support to patients. Addressing the logistics of getting to and from
doctors’ appointments and securing temporary housing when appropriate for certain
treatment protocols is a crucial piece of the treatment planning process. If
transportation/lodging needs are not met, issues with compliance and adherence to

treatment regimens arise, which can affect survival outcomes for blood cancer patients.
Further, travel obstacles can have a direct impact on clinical trial enrollment. LLS has
received numerous reports from our LLS-funded investigators stating that transportation
challenges prevented appropriate candidates from enrolling in clinical trials. All of these
factors affirm the value and necessity of LLS’s Patient Travel Assistance Program to
help patients better manage a life-threatening blood cancer diagnosis. Our experience
with the Travel Assistance Program confirms this—LLS receives an average of 75
applications for assistance per day. The need is clearly there. LLS strives to meet
it.While some patients are fortunate to receive treatment closer to home, their families
may incur substantial expenses for gasoline, parking fees, and/or public transportation
costs, particularly when treatment extends over months or years. The Travel
Assistance Program alleviates some of this financial burden by providing financial
assistance to help cover costs incurred in traveling to and from treatments. The program
helps to reduce a financial barrier to care and allows patients the access to the
treatments needed.
c) Include a budget of requested funds, with the total amount requested clearly notated.
Proposed Amount Amount In Kind Total Budget
Budget Expense Requested Requested or Contributions
from Tohono secured from
O’odham other funders
Project $2,500.00 $35,000.00 $0 $37,500.00
Administration
(LLS Staff,
writing and
development of
the grant,
contacting
health care
providers,
patients, and or
families
($45/application)
Postage,
supplies
($5/application)
Local Travel $22,500 $140,000 $0 $162,500
Assistance
Program
Total Budget $25,000 $175,000 $0 $200,000
d) List and other funding requests that have made for this or substantially related
proposals and provide the status of those requests The following charities and
foundations have financially contributed to our program:

- Gila River Indian Community (2015, 2017 [application submitted])
- Phoenix Suns Charities (2015, 2016)
- Thunderbird Charities (2016)
- Executive Community Charities (2016)
- Subaru Give Back Program (2017)
The aforementioned charities and foundations served our patients and families
throughout the state of AZ and their generous donations have been fully disbursed.
e) Indicate whether the entity has already received a 12% distribution from the Tohono
O’odham Nation or other AZ tribes along with the amount and date awarded
The LLS Arizona chapter has not received awards from Tohono O’odham but has
received funds from other AZ tribes:
SRPMIC Funding: Gila River Indian Community:
2015 $25,000 2015 $20,000
2014 $50,000
2013 $50,000
2012 $50,000
The Travel Assistance Program is a continuing program for LLS, launched nationally in
spring of 2014. LLS-AZ Chapter has received approximately $75,000 since inception of
funds in 2015 and has helped more than 120 patients FY 2016 and so far this year we
have assisted more than 30 patients. LLS continues to strive to serve our mission; to
cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Funds
granted for this program in Arizona will stay in the community and help local residents.
Therefore, there is a need with the community for continual support with this program.
The program will benefit our patients in Arizona as they have little opportunity to apply
locally for patient funding for transportation for medical needs.
f) Identify a designated contact person and alternate contact for follow up
It would be a pleasure to have Tohono O’odham Nation be a contributor to the patients
and families we serve throughout the Arizona community. Please contact Naomi
Martinez, Development Specialist for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, AZ Chapter at
602.567.7612 naomi.martinez@lls.org or Executive Director, Jim Brewer at
602.567.7600 jim.brewer@lls.org for follow up information.
g) Indicate which priority area (from the above list) the proposal falls under
The proposed project will cover the area of healthcare priority funding for the Tohono
O’odham Nation.
h) If the proposal is from a non-profit organization, include the name of the city, town, or
county an agreement will be made with if funds are granted
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society- AZ Chapter is based in Phoenix, AZ Maricopa County


Dr. Lisa Sproat graduated from the University of Vermont COM in 2000.
She works in Scottsdale, AZ and specializes in Hematology/Oncology at The Mayo Clinic.
“The LLS travel grant has been a true gift to many of my patients. In particular it has helped one of my
patients be able to continue treatment. This patient lives over two hours from Mayo Clinic. She has two
toddlers, her husband works full time and they do not have family in Arizona. Her chemotherapy for
acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a protocol which requires multiple visits to my office per week for
chemo/lab checks/lumbar puncture. Finances have been very tight for this patient and her family. Her
husband needs to work to keep the income flowing and the health insurance in place. They have had to
find people to watch their children while she receives treatment and her husband is at work. She then
needs to find someone else to drive her to appointments. Often help is limited because they can’t find a
volunteer but then if they could they couldn’t afford the gas for the long round trip to Mayo Clinic. With
the help of LLS the burden of gas money was lifted and the patient was able to find rides to all her
appointments. This was a huge relief to my patient and to me. It is very important that patients stay on
course with this protocol as the intent is for cure. Missing doses or delaying doses is not recommended
and can impede cure. This patient made it through her most intense chemo and has now entered her 2
year maintenance phase. Thank you for your wonderful support. “ ---Dr. Lisa Sproat