The travel assistance program is being established alongside our 501(c)(3) approval. Applications will open once initial funding is secured. Contact us to be notified when the program launches, or if your family has an urgent need and you want to discuss options.
Why travel assistance matters for rare conditions
Poland anomaly is rare enough that experienced specialists are concentrated in a small number of major medical centers. A family in rural Mississippi, South Dakota, or Montana may be 8 to 12 hours from the nearest surgeon with meaningful Poland anomaly experience. For hand surgery in a toddler where timing matters, or for a teenager ready to pursue reconstruction, that distance is not theoretical — it is a barrier that prevents families from accessing the care they need.
Travel assistance does not pay for the surgery itself. It pays for what makes the surgery accessible: the plane ticket, the hotel, the rental car, the meals during a multi-day surgical stay. For a family already managing deductibles and time off work, those costs can be the deciding factor.
How the program will work
The Poland Foundation travel assistance program is designed for families who meet all of the following:
- The patient has a confirmed or strongly suspected Poland anomaly diagnosis
- Travel to a specialist is required because no appropriate provider is accessible within a reasonable distance from the family's home
- The family demonstrates financial need — the program is means-tested and prioritizes families who cannot absorb travel costs without assistance
- The appointment is for consultation, evaluation, or treatment — not for a second opinion on a procedure already accessible locally
Grants will cover transportation and lodging costs. The program will not pay providers directly or cover surgical costs — those are addressed separately through insurance and hospital financial assistance programs.
Other travel assistance resources available now
While Poland Foundation's own program is being established, several other organizations provide medical travel assistance that Poland anomaly families may qualify for:
Air Charity Network / Angel Flight
A network of volunteer pilots providing free air transportation to medical appointments for patients who cannot afford commercial travel. Multiple regional programs operate across the US. Availability depends on distance, pilot availability, and patient circumstances. aircharitynetwork.org
Corporate Angel Network
Provides free flights to cancer treatment centers on corporate aircraft with empty seats. If a Poland anomaly patient is traveling for treatment at a comprehensive cancer center with a Poland anomaly surgical program, this may apply. corpangelnetwork.org
Ronald McDonald Houses
Free or low-cost lodging near major children's hospitals for families with pediatric patients. If the specialist is at or affiliated with a children's hospital, a Ronald McDonald House stay may be available. rmhc.org
FACES: The National Craniofacial Association
Provides travel assistance specifically for patients with craniofacial and related conditions traveling to treatment centers. Poland anomaly patients with significant presentation may qualify. faces-cranio.org
Hospital patient services offices
Many major academic medical centers have their own patient travel assistance funds for families coming from a significant distance. Ask the hospital's patient services or social work department specifically about travel assistance before assuming you must pay out of pocket.
Finding the right specialist to travel to
Travel assistance is only useful if the destination is the right one. Our specialist directory lists nearly 100 providers across the US with documented Poland anomaly experience, organized by specialty and location. Use it to identify the closest experienced provider before planning travel — you may be closer than you think.