A mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment often require the patient to travel far from home in order to consult with a specialist and/or to enroll in a clinical trial.
The Meso Foundation’s Patient Travel Grant Program, founded by Mary and Bob Cosentino, provides travel grants to patients and one caregiver traveling for an initial consult and/or for clinical trial treatments.
Eligible Travel
- One trip for one initial consultation with a mesothelioma expert.
- Multiple trips to participate in an interventional clinical trial (found on clinicaltrials.gov).
Program Guidelines
- Each trip can be reimbursed for up to a maximum of $1,000, with the total reimbursements for all trips not exceeding $6,000 per patient/caregiver annually and not exceeding two clinical trials overall.
- Patients receiving standard treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.) without being enrolled in a clinical trial do not qualify for this program.
- All expenses (including documentation) must be submitted within 30 days or they will not be reimbursed.
- All funds will be remitted via electronic transfer unless other arrangements are made and must be remitted to the patient or their legal guardian.
Eligible Expenses
- Lodging (i.e., hotel, motel, Airbnb)
- Transportation (i.e., plane, bus, train, transit tickets)
- Taxi or rideshare costs
- Gas (not mileage)
Non-eligible Expenses
- The following expenses may not be submitted to this program:
- Food purchases*
- Travel insurance
- First class tickets/upgrades
- Entertainment costs such as, but not limited to, movies, liquor or bar costs
- Toiletry articles
- Personal purchases such as clothing, valet services, recreational activities (spa, exercise charges, etc.)
*If it is determined that you are in the top 20% of financial need, the committee may reach out to you to discuss the possibility of covering food expenditures.
How to Submit an Application
To submit an initial request, complete the application form and the medical authorization form (this is a form signed by your doctor confirming the need for an expert consultation or enrollment in a clinical trial for mesothelioma). If you need assistance filling out the application or have any questions, please contact the Foundation, at [email protected] or 877-363-6376.
Download the Application Form (PDF)
Download the Medical Authorization Form (PDF)
