Crisis Following Hawaii Fires Exacerbates Unique Challenges Faced by Cancer Patients; Resources Being Made Available for Patients in Need

Nearly 8,500 Hawaii residents are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year and thousands of others are living with the disease. The recent wildfire crisis has caused patients in Hawaii to be left without medication, medical supplies, access to cancer treatment as well as food, clean water, and shelter.

The American Cancer Society is quickly responding to the crisis by providing critical aid and resources for affected patients including airfare, food, and lodging assistance. ACS’s California Guam Hawaii Division, which works year-round in communities across the state of Hawaii, has established a task force to continue to monitor the needs of patients throughout the crisis and to deploy additional strategies to relieve the cancer burden.

The American Cancer Society Clarence T.C. Ching Hope Lodge in Honolulu, which provides free lodging to cancer patients and their families, has already begun accepting patients displaced by the fires. ACS is also working closely with area hotels to secure additional low-or no-cost housing options.

“Disruptions to cancer treatment pose a significant risk to the survival of cancer patients in Hawaii,” said Dr. Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society. “We are committed to leveraging our expertise and resources to quickly assist patients and their families during this extremely difficult time.”

Hawaii patients seeking information and support can call ACS’s National Cancer Information Center (NCIC) anytime, day or night, at 1-800-ACS-2345. ACS provides specific information related to cancer and natural disasters at this resource page and a myriad of resources at cancer.org.

To enable the public to support critical services for cancer patients in Hawaii, ACS is accepting donations at cancer.org/cancercrisisresponse.   

This news release was published by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network on August 15, 2023. It is republished with permission.