Moffitt Social Work Resources Help Patient Get Through Treatment

Alexis Lago Figueroa, 52, was living in Orlando with his wife, Marisol, when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. After a visit to the emergency room, he was referred to Moffitt Cancer Center for treatment.  

After visiting Moffitt and establishing a treatment plan, Alexis and his wife had no idea how they would commute to Tampa because they didn’t have a car. That was when their assigned social worker, Katrina Miller, stepped in.  

Because most of their family members are not local, Alexis and Marisol rely on each other for support. 

“Common resources I share with patients include lodging, transportation, financial and mental health resources,” Miller said.   

Miller informed the couple about Moffitt’s lodging options, including the American Cancer Society’s Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge. The lodge located near Moffitt provides temporary lodging for eligible patients free of charge who need to travel to receive treatment.  

Moffitt also has a partnership with local hotels. Certain patients are qualified to receive Patient Support Funds through the social work department, which could cover a percentage of lodging expenses.   

For those in need of long-term lodging, ATB Furnished Housing and All Stages Corporate Housing Group offer furnished apartments for Moffitt patients. These arrangements specifically are made directly through both companies.  

“We are so grateful the social work team helped us with lodging because, in a way, that was our salvation,” Marisol said.  

As a Moffitt social worker, Miller works with dozens of patients, all with different diagnoses and backgrounds.  

“Every experience is so different,” Miller said. “We handle so many different patient needs throughout each patient’s cancer journey and we advocate as much as we can to make sure we are providing them with the best care throughout their entire time at Moffitt.”  

Ultimately, she wants every patient she works with to know it’s encouraged to ask for help.  

“It’s what we are here for and what we want to do,” Miller said. “We will never judge a patient for anything they are experiencing. If you’re going through cancer treatment and feeling nervous about asking for help, know that you’re not alone. It’s completely understandable to feel hesitant, but reaching out can make a big difference for your well-being.” 

Alexis and Marisol credit the help of their social worker, their love and support for each other and their faith for where they are today. After six rounds of chemotherapy, Alexis is now in remission. When the care team shared the news with Alexis and his wife, Miller was beside them to show support, just as she was from the start.  

“If you are going through this, don’t lose hope because it is possible to continue living a full life after something like this,” Alexis said.