LEBANON – When children need medical care away from home, nothing makes them feel more secure than having family members close by; however, travel costs can add up. This year, many are seeing an increase in the cost of living, which impacts families in their day-to-day lives. The pressures of higher costs are especially felt by families who must travel long distances to access medical care for a child.

In recognition of these challenging times, Dartmouth Health Children’s is fortunate to be one of 7 North American partner hospitals with Irving Oil’s Fuel the Care program to provide gasoline vouchers to families driving an hour or more for specialty care at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

“Our families are always grateful and appreciative of the Fuel the Care Program. Some families would not be able to travel the distance for their appointments because the cost of fuel is prohibitive,” said Darcy Emerson, Dartmouth Health Children’s Family Center Resource Coordinator. “Families often say that they do not know what they would do without the program. It is easy to see the relief on their faces when we hand them a gas card.

Irving Oil is celebrating 20 years of this flagship community program this year as it continues to make a difference for families with children requiring medical care. This year, to help fuel the care for more families, Irving Oil is doubling its contributions to the program, as well as expanding Fuel the Care across the Atlantic Basin to Ireland, where it has operations.

“We’re very thankful for our customers who make this program possible,” says Irving Oil Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer Sarah Irving. “In supporting Irving Oil, they help to support Fuel the Care – helping families when they need it most.”

Since 2002, Irving Oil has supported more than 80,000 families in Eastern Canada and New England with the program.

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