Drivers needed to transport cancer patients for Road to Recovery

The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program is looking for volunteer drivers in the Central Valley to aid the estimated 1.6 million California residents diagnosed with cancer this year in getting to the hospital for appointments.

The program provides transportation to and from treatment facilities to help people with cancer receive the critical care they need.

“One cancer patient requiring radiation therapy could need anywhere from 20 to 30 trips to treatment in six weeks,” program manager Donna Gavello said. “A patient receiving chemotherapy might report for treatment weekly for up to a year. In many cases, a patient is driven to hospitals or clinics by relatives or friends, but even these patients must occasionally seek alternative transportation. That’s where the American Cancer Society Road To Recovery program comes in.”

The program is in need of drivers, especially from rural areas, Gavello said. Volunteers who sign up arrange their own schedules, allowing for more autonomy and flexibility.

Those with a reliable car, current driver’s license and auto insurance who are interested in the program can call 1 (800) 227-2345, or visit www.cancer.org.

This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 9:58 PM with the headline "Drivers needed to transport cancer patients for Road to Recovery."