Submitted by Soroptimists International of Friday Harbor
Since 2015, Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor has been providing ferry tickets to San Juan Island residents who must travel to the mainland for cancer treatments. Often, patients must travel five days week for eight weeks, or for up to several years.
The Cancer Treatment Transportation Program was created to help ease a family’s financial burden during a stressful time by donating ferry tickets to the patient and a caregiver.
The current cost per trip for a car/driver plus passenger is approximately $60 using a multi-ride pass. Over the last several years there has been a significant increase in the number of ferry tickets purchased. In 2021, Soroptimist spent $7,913, and in 2022, $11,980. In 2023, Soroptimist spent $13,224, and in 2024, $16,897. Due to an average year-to-year increase of 30%, SIFRI is now seeking to raise $5,000 during the County Fair, as part of the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s 2024 SJI Cares County Fair Giving Campaign.
Funds will be used to prepare for increased demand for ferry tickets, based on the last 3 years’ spending. If successful, SIFRI also plans to expand the program to include patients traveling to Peace Island Hospital in Friday Harbor from the other San Juan islands for cancer treatment.
Through the Community Foundation’s Fair Giving program, the first $1,000 in donations raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Community Foundation. To be eligible for the matching funds, donations to the SIFRI must be made during the four days of the 2024 County Fair, Aug. 15–18. Donors must contribute in person at the Community Foundation fair booth, online at sjicares.org, by phone to the Community Foundation at 360-378-1001, or by mailing a check payable to SJICF (dated between Aug. 15–18) with Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor in the memo line, to P.O. Box 1352, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
Established in 1996, Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is part of a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment and opportunities to reach their full potential and live their dreams. For more information see www.sifri.org.
