Cancer_drivers

Back to HomeFeature Article - March 8, 2012 Cancer Society seeks drivers in North, Central Frontenac, Addington Highlands. by Jeff Green

The Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society offers a service that is particularly important to rural people undergoing cancer treatment. Drivers are available to pick people up at their own homes, take them to doctor's appointments or for cancer treatment, and then bring them home when the treatment is completed.

These drives can be for weekly chemotherapy treatments or daily radiology treatments, they can be to Perth, Kingston, Peterborough, or even Ottawa or Toronto as the case may be.

“We feel that people who are dealing with cancer have enough to deal with, they shouldn't have to worry about getting to treatment and back home again if they do not have a friend or relative who has the time available to take them,” says Clare Macfarlane, who co-ordinates the program in North and Central Frontenac and Addington Highlands and does a fair bit of driving herself.

In recent times the pool of drivers has shrunk, and this has stressed the program somewhat, although Macfarlane says that in the 12 years that she has been the co-ordinator there have only been one or two cases where a ride was not available for someone who needs one.

“Nonetheless, we really need some new drivers now,” Macfarlane said.

The Cancer Society pays compensation to drivers to cover the cost of gas (currently they pay 30 cents per kilometre) but beyond that, driving cancer patients to treatments and appointments is a very rewarding way of volunteering in the local community. The need for drivers is particularly acute in the western part of North Frontenac and in Addington Highlands, but there are shortages throughout the territory.

“Drivers only take on the kinds of drives they are comfortable with. Some will go further, and some only as far as Perth or Kingston, but if we can get more drivers then we will be able to make fewer demands on each of them,” said Macfarlane.

For further information about providing drives call Claire at 613-279-1133. Cancer patients who need drives to appointments or treatments should also call Claire.