YWCA Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) received a grant from Janssen Pharmaceuticals to support its Transportation Program, which provides free rides to and from treatment for breast cancer patients in need.
The Transportation Program was established in 2014 to honor the legacy and wish of Dr. Sandra Gatt, a renowned plastic surgeon and breast cancer patient herself, who saw a need for transportation and companionship services throughout her breast cancer journey.
Priority is given to women who are low-income, without cars, and who often rely on public transportation.
“It is essential that we keep screening and treatment available and accessible to Trenton-based women, and particularly women of color, because they statistically face a later detection rate, and therefore a higher mortality rate,” YWCA Princeton CEO Judy Hutton said. “Lives will be touched, and hopefully — saved, in part by the contributions made through Janssen Pharmaceuticals.”
Last year, the Transportation Program supported 76 women by taking them to and from appointments, and matching them with a breast cancer survivor to ensure they were not alone during treatment.
If needed, the Transportation Program staff act as translators as well.
The grant from Janssen Pharmaceuticals will support the Transportation Program by supplying funds for gas.
In the last year, the transportation van drove nearly 20,000 miles, with frequent trips from Trenton to New Brunswick’s Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
About YWCA Princeton
YWCA Princeton is #OnAMission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Programs at YWCA Princeton are mission-based, in that they are designed to empower and inspire women and their families through offering affordable childcare, English as a second language, an all-girls robotics team, breast cancer resource center and much more.
For details about programs and advocacy, visit www.ywcaprinceton.org
