RAPID CITY, S.D. (April 17, 2026) – The American Cancer Society (ACS) has awarded up to $30,000 in grants to Monument Health Cancer Care Institute to help ease the burden for patients who experience challenges with the expense of transportation and lodging to get to their cancer related medical appointments.
This is the fifth year Cancer Care Institute has received these grants to support patients. In total, ACS has awarded Monument Health $150,000 in grants.
The grants are part of more than $8 million in grant funding awarded to over 400 health systems to alleviate the financial burdens related to accessing cancer care. Cancer patients and their caregivers can use the money to cover patient and caregiver expenses such as gasoline, bus fare, hotel rooms, and temporary lodging during treatment.
For cancer patients, especially those who must travel to Rapid City from out of town for chemotherapy and other treatment, the cost of travel and lodging can be a hardship. Depending on the type of therapy, patients must make multiple trips, and side effects can leave patients exhausted, so traveling back and forth between their home and the clinic can be unmanageable.
“We’re deeply grateful for the American Cancer Society’s continued partnership in easing the financial stress our patients can face,” said Kristi Gylten, Director of the Monument Health Cancer Care Institute. “These grants allow our patients to focus more energy where it matters most—on healing—rather than worrying about the cost of fuel or finding affordable lodging during treatment.”
The grants are available through March 31, 2027. For more information, contact the Cancer Care Institute at 605-755-2300.
###
About Monument Health
Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 38 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.