Our program this week was the Road to Recovery given by Jerri Wood, the American Cancer Society. Currently the American Cancer Society program operates with 20+ volunteer drivers who provide assistance to people who need transportation. Several of the transportation providers are retirees who transport cancer patients to treatments. Interested providers can to the Cancer.org/volunteer website or call 1-600-227-2345 for more information.
In 2018 there were 1,366 rides and in 2019 there were more than 1,800 plus rides to treatments in our area alone. The American Cancer Society searches for grants to cover the $60,000 in transportation rides cost as part of the Road to Recovery program. Besides providing the transportation needs of cancer patients, volunteer drivers become a source of emotional support for these patients.
The Road to Recovery transportation program provides a variety of options for patients in need. From volunteer drivers to Road to Recovery partners, everything is based on available resources through working with local transportation vendors to provide patients assistance to treatment. Patients are given more options by working with a network of community organizations that provide transportation services.