Nonprofit to Offer Island Vacation Care for Individuals with Cancer
A Martha’s Vineyard nonprofit known for bringing cancer patients to the Island for a vacation is now extending vacation opportunities to Vineyarders.
Vineyard Havens began its mission by enabling pediatric patients and their families to enjoy week-long vacations on Martha’s Vineyard. Later, the organization extended its services to adult patients, and it is now reviewing its first set of applications for an innovative Island Patient Respite Program.
Program director Caitlin Burbidge said that giving cancer patients an opportunity to spend some quality time with their families is at the heart of Vineyard Havens’ work.
“We know from studies that medical trauma has a real impact on people…. Interrupting medical trauma with experiences of joy and opportunities for togetherness with family can be really fortifying for people on this journey,” Burbidge said in an interview with The Vineyard Gazette. “We see that time and again with folks we bring out to the Island. They really will transform when they’re out here and remember who they are outside of cancer.”
According to the Gazette report, the Island Patient Respite Program will offer an all-expenses-paid vacation anywhere in the continental United States for a cancer patient and one other person or a staycation on the Island. Applicants must be year-round residents of Martha’s Vineyard.
The staycation option would take place at a vacation home on Martha’s Vineyard, allowing the patient to receive family and friends from off the Island to visit.
“The Island gives us so much as a program it’s only natural that we’d want to give back to Islanders,” Burbidge said. “This year we are so excited to roll this out,” she said.
Vineyard Havens is accepting applications through April 15. For more information on the Island Patient Respite Program, visit the Vineyard Havens website.
