Volunteer drivers needed to transport Putnam cancer patients to treatment

Friday, July 10, 2015

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 appointments, the American Cancer Society (ACS) provides free rides through its Road To Recovery program.

Currently the society looking for volunteer drivers in Putnam County so that all patients have transportation when they need it.

An estimated 211 Putnam County residents will learn this year that they have cancer, and just getting to their scheduled treatment may be a challenge.

"The free program provides patients rides to and from their medical treatment. To ensure that all patients have transportation when they need it, the Society is looking for volunteer drivers," Robin Rockel, mission delivery program manager for the American Cancer Society, said.

Road To Recovery volunteers arrange their own schedules, with some volunteering as little as one afternoon a month and others driving patients as often as twice a week. Putnam County residents who have a car and some spare time can help someone keep a very important appointment.

"The program not only helps patients, but is also rewarding for the volunteer," " Rockel added. "Several of our drivers have volunteered for a number of years and really enjoy helping a patient get to their lifesaving treatment."

For information about Road To Recovery or other ACS programs and services, persons may call 1-800-227-2345, or visit cancer.org.

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  • 2 months ago I was told that I have a growth on my left kidney that is likely a 60 percent chance of being malignant. I have also spinal stenosis that has left my right leg paralyzed so I can no longer drive. So I take the bus around town to dr's appointments. But there are specialists that I need to see that I can't get anyone to take me to. The friends I have work during the day and I also believe are afraid to take me with the paralization I have. I'm not helpless by any means but I called the American Cancer Society and they had told me there was nothing they could do to get me to appointments. That there were no volunteers. I hope that was a mistake and that I can take advantage of this information because its so important for me to catch this early. Other wise I don't know what to do.

    -- Posted by CBOnline on Sat, Jul 11, 2015, at 6:25 AM
  • I called the American Cancer Society to see if they can help me out with a ride to my doctor. They wouldn't or weren't able to give me a ride to anywhere. no one available, I'm lost.

    -- Posted by CBOnline on Sat, Jul 11, 2015, at 4:50 PM
  • Hi CBOnline,

    We do have Road to Recovery Drivers in Putnam County that are willing to help! This program is able to help people who are diagnosed with cancer and need help getting to and from their cancer treatment appointments or doctor appointments related to the cancer diagnosis. This program is fairly new, opening up withing the last 2-3 months. If you called before then, please try calling us back!

    Thanks,

    Robin

    -- Posted by robinACS on Mon, Jul 13, 2015, at 6:35 PM
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