The Island Patient Program
A special break for the people who call Martha’s Vineyard home
Vineyard Havens’ Island Patient Program provides all-expenses-paid respite time for year-round Martha’s Vineyard residents facing cancer who would otherwise be unable to afford a getaway. We work closely with each patient to create a meaningful break tailored to their wishes, needs, and circumstances.
Prefer to stay on the island? We can arrange the perfect “staycation” where you can relax, reconnect, and experience the Vineyard in a whole new way.
Whether you choose to get away or stay close to home, our goal is simple: to give you time to rest, recharge, and enjoy life with the people who matter most.
Ready for a Break?
We invite eligible year-round Martha’s Vineyard residents facing cancer to apply for a respite experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Our program is designed for year-round Martha’s Vineyard residents who are facing cancer and cannot afford a respite experience using their own financial resources.
Applicants must be in cancer treatment at the time of application or have completed treatment in the last 6 months.
-
Every experience is different and depends on individual needs and circumstances. We balance our available resources to ensure we can provide meaningful breaks to as many islanders as possible.
Past experiences include off-island vacations, “staycations”, or special one-day experiences with family and friends.
-
We carefully review each application, considering the patient’s medical circumstances, personal needs, and wishes.
The number and type of respite experiences depends on our available funding and the number of applications we receive.
-
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as applications will close once our program reaches capacity for the year.
Questions? Please contact Anne Caldwell, Program Director anne@vineyardhavens.org
