Traveling to City of Hope as an International Patient

Planning Your Trip

If you require a visa to travel to the U.S., we can help with the process.
 
We will provide you a list of the documents you'll need for your visa interview and, if you request it, we'll send you a letter confirming your scheduled appointment at City of Hope.
 
If you wish to have legal representation, we can recommend an experienced law firm to assist you.
 

Traveling to City of Hope

Our staff will help you adjust during your time at our Duarte, CA, hospital, regardless of the length of your stay. From coordinating transport from the airport to finding accommodations for yourself and your loved ones, we’re here to help.
 
 
 
We have relationships with many local hotels that provide discounted rates for City of Hope patients. We can also provide information about places to shop, restaurants, rental cars, how to open a bank account and more.
 

Your First Day at City of Hope

From the very moment you step onto our Duarte campus, a sense of belonging will surround you.

Upon your arrival, our dedicated team will extend a warm welcome and introduce you to your personal Patient Access Coordinator. They are proficient in your language or can arrange for translation services if needed. Your coordinator will ensure that all your requirements are met and will guide you smoothly to your initial appointment.

During your initial physician consultation and medical appointments, a certified translator will be readily available to facilitate effective communication.

A warm reminder that for your first appointment day, please ensure you bring the following:

  • All images saved onto a CD in Dicom format (please do not send the images to us in advance; kindly bring the CD disk on your scheduled appointment date)
  • A representative sample of all pathology biopsies conducted, along with the corresponding blocks
  • The initial biopsy results
  • If applicable, the results of any surgical biopsies performed
  • If applicable, the results of any metastatic biopsies conducted

Additionally, depending on the specific type of cancer, there may be further clinical information required. Your dedicated Patient Access Coordinator will reach out to you to discuss any additional information needed.

Your Care

At City of Hope, we take care of the whole person, not just the disease.
 
City of Hope is also home to the innovative Department of Supportive Care Medicine. This multidisciplinary team is made of compassionate professionals, including:
 
  • Doctors and nurses specializing in clinical supportive and palliative care
  • Pain management specialists
  • Psychiatrists
  • Psychologists
  • Clinical social workers
  • Child life specialists
  • Patient navigators
  • Positive image professionals
  • Health education specialists
  • Spiritual care providers
  • Volunteers all working with your primary health care team to manage pain, anxiety, depression, isolation and the distress that may come with a cancer diagnosis and treatment
 
As the heart of the Department of Supportive Care Medicine, the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center integrates all of City of Hope’s support services in one accessible and comfortable environment for patients and their families.
 

Heading Home

Once your treatments ends, the team at City of Hope will still be involved in your care.
 
When you're ready to return home, our team will make sure you have whatever medications you need, your records and any pertinent information needed for your recovery.
 
We will maintain contact with your local doctors, to keep them informed of your follow-up care requirements so that you can adjust to your life after cancer as easily as possible.