STEP-1

STEP-1 is a new pilot program that helps children and adolescents with hard-to-cure cancers from anywhere in Canada access academic early phase clinical trials at SickKids, BC Children's and CHU Ste.Justine. Since academic trials typically do not provide travel support such as flights, hotels, gas, or meals, the STEP-1 program through partnership with Hope Air, covers eligible costs for the patient and one caregiver for all study-related visits. By covering these expenses upfront and avoiding out-of-pocket expenses, the program reduces the financial burden on patients and families.

STEP-1 is proudly supported by ACCESS , Garron Family Cancer Centre and Hyundai Hope on Wheels.

Studies eligible for STEP-1 funding are flagged below: 

*As STEP-1 studies expand to new centres across Canada, participation becomes increasingly more accessible for patients and families. The STEP-1 program aims to help support academic early phase studies that may otherwise be hard to reach.

As study availability expands to more centres, the level of support offered may evolve to ensure the sustainability of our program.

Families enrolled in certain studies at different times may therefore have access to different levels of travel funding. Studies that have transitioned to long-distance-only coverage (living further than 160 km, roundtrip) will be flagged on U-Link Canada and can be reviewed with you by the local STEP-1 coordinator, if applicable. If travel is a barrier for your family, please reach out to your site team who can connect you with any travel resources available to you.