Lack of Transportation Can Be a Barrier to Cancer Treatment: American Cancer Society Seeks Volunteer Drivers

The American Cancer Society is seeking new volunteers interested in giving patients a great gift: a ride to treatment. Transportation is often a barrier for cancer patients and the Society’s Road to Recovery® program tackles the problem head-on. A training for interested volunteers will be held Friday, April 5th from 10:00 am until noon at the American Cancer Society office at 4207 Lindell Blvd. in the Central West End.

Road to Recovery volunteers drive patients to treatment centers and home again. More volunteers are needed in St. Louis City and County to ensure that all patients have transportation when they need it. In fact, as the Society embarks on their 100th year, program staff and volunteers set a goal of recruiting 100 new drivers in eastern Missouri.

“One cancer patient requiring radiation therapy could need anywhere from 20 to 30 trips to treatment in six weeks,” said Katie Wrenn, community manager for the American Cancer Society. “A patient receiving chemotherapy might report for treatment weekly for up to a year. As you can imagine, patients often need help when relatives and friends are unavailable. This program helps to ensure that there is no break in their treatment process because of this need.”

For additional information about the Road to Recovery program and to sign up for the training, please call Katie at 314-286-8177.

About the American Cancer Society:

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.