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(Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)
Healthy Food

Cancer transportation pilot program now includes access to healthy food while travelling

Sep 11, 2020 | 12:38 PM

Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) has added additional support for Métis citizens experiencing cancer or undergoing cancer treatment as part of its Cancer Transportation Pilot Project to include payments for healthy food choices while travelling.

MN-S Health Minister Marg Friesen said good nutrition is important overall for all Métis citizens but for those experiencing cancer or those undergoing cancer treatment, access to healthy food and following a diet when being treated for cancer is critical.

“To have a healthy food choice as opposed to eating less healthy foods which is perhaps more accessible or eating from a convenience store is not always healthy or always healthy choices there,” Friesen told meadowlakeNOW. “This way, you’ll be able to access perhaps a grocery store with more choices or pack a healthy lunch or snacks for your journey.

In July, MN-S introduced a Cancer Transportation Pilot Program to reimburse eligible citizens and family members needing to travel to medical appointments. The healthy food addition will be in conjunction with financial reimbursements for gas and parking under the pilot project.

“MN-S Ministry of Health knows one of the keys to recovery is a healthy, balanced diet,” Friesen said in a release. “Purchasing healthy food while away from one’s home is a costly venture that can cause undue stress on top what cancer patients are already going through.”

With the assistance of the FoodRescue.ca Emergency Fund, through Agri-Food Canada’s Second Harvest initiative, a six-month pilot project will provide patients with payments for healthy food. Friesen explained access to this program was a gift from the organizations and is not repayable by MN-S.

For additional details about the pilot project, contact CPAC Project Coordinator, Tayna Pruden at 306-291-4758 or email tpruden@mns.work.

Applicants should be registered citizens of MN-S, or family members of registered MN-S citizens to be eligible for this program.

nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722

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