In 2003, a group of oncologists discovered that some Northern New Mexican patients were forgoing cancer treatment because they couldn’t afford the costs associated with travel to and from the treatment center in Santa Fe. Despite programs being available to cover medical expenses, the non-medical costs posed the greatest barriers – like the ability to pay for gas or overnight lodging. The Cancer Foundation for New Mexico was created specifically to address the overlooked but critically important needs of financially-challenged cancer patients and their families.