Getting to and from medical treatments is one of the greatest concerns cancer patients face during treatment. To ensure patients get to those much-needed treatments, the American Cancer Society provides free rides through its Road To Recovery’ program.
The Society is currently looking for volunteer drivers in Paulding County so that all patients have transportation when they need it. An estimated 110 Paulding residents will learn that they have cancer this year; however getting to their scheduled treatment may be a challenge.
“One cancer patient requiring radiation therapy could need anywhere from 20 to 30 trips to treatment in six weeks,” said Marybeth Torsell, Program Manager for the American Cancer Society. “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 Road To Recovery pro-gram comes in.”
“The program not only helps patients, but is also rewarding for the volunteer. Several of our drivers have volunteered for a number of years,” added Torsell.
A training for new drivers will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. The training will be held in the Education Room within the Paulding County Hospital. To be a volunteer driver, an interested person must simply have a reliable vehicle, a valid drivers lis-cense, proof of auto insurance and a good driving record.
For additional information about the Road To Recovery program or to volunteer, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. Please register for the training by calling Marybeth at 888.227.6446 x 5101 or email marybeth.tor-sell@cancer.org.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three mil-lion volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birth-day 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 count-less more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. 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/fight.
