Facing a cancer diagnosis can cause so much stress for patients and their families. Treatment therapies may affect a patient's ability to maintain a healthy weight. Often, patients who are sick cannot continue to work, and so they endure financial hardship as well. All this makes it challenging to eat well, especially at a time when good nutrition is more important than ever.

The staff at Virtua Health | Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology have established a special program to provide patients who are food-insecure with a weekly bag of non-perishable foods.

Meals that Heal bags are provided to patients free of charge for the duration of their radiation therapy. Patients work closely with the program's Registered Dietitian on meal planning and setting goals for good nutrition. Our team also connects patients to other helpful support services and resources.

Meals that Heal are made possible through the generosity of Virtua's friends and benefactors. In 2022 alone, our team provided 263 bags of free food to patients undergoing radiation therapy. Gifts of all sizes help ensure that our patients can be well, get well, stay well -- and eat well!

HOW TO HELP: Click "Give Now" to make a gift or click "Start Fundraising" to create your own fundraising campaign to celebrate a special occasion, or just because. Remember to scroll down and use the "Share this Story" links to spread the word via social media and email!

Visit GiveToVirtua.org/Initiatives/Meals-That-Heal to learn more. We are grateful for your support of this meaningful initiative and look forward to the lasting impact you will make on our patients and families!