Providing Rides to Cancer Treatment

For many years, First Source has provided support to the American Cancer Society, from financial assistance to volunteers and fundraising participation. We recently learned of their Road to Recovery program. This invaluable service pairs cancer patients in need of transportation to their appointments with community volunteer drivers.

The Road to Recovery Program

Every day, there are cancer patients who need to get to treatment, but many don’t have a way to get there. The American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery program provides transportation to and from treatment, for free. Rides are provided by volunteers like you.

How Does It Work?

Volunteers go to cancer.org or call 800.227.2345 to let the American Cancer Society know you would like to help. You provide your availability and what works best to fit your schedule. When they have a patient in your area in need they will reach out and see if you can accept the opportunity. They further coordinate with you from there.

Who Can Volunteer?

If you own or have regular access to a safe, reliable vehicle, then you’re already on the road to volunteering. You’ll also need:

• A good driving record

• A current, valid driver’s license

• Proof of adequate automobile insurance

• Completion of the simple American Cancer Society training course

• Regular access to a cell phone, computer, laptop, or tablet computer, to receive notifications

• Schedule availability, typically Monday-Saturday, as much or as little as you prefer

Why Volunteer to Drive?

For those patients who cannot drive themselves or have no other means of getting to their treatment, the Road To Recovery volunteers may be the only way for them to receive the treatment they need. It can literally be life-saving. Volunteer drivers say that they get as much from the experience as the patients do.

How Do You Get Started?

You need to submit some basic information to the American Cancer Society, after which a volunteer care specialist will contact you to discuss the program, your expectations, and what you hope to gain from the experience so they can ensure a good fit. Then you’ll take some required training, which is self-paced and takes around 90 minutes. From there you’ll complete a background check, and once approved, provide your schedule availability so you can begin being matched to patients needing transportation. You can offer as much or as little time as you prefer, provide rides one way or both ways, and change your schedule availability at any time.

Visit the American Cancer Society’s website to learn how you can get started. A little of your time can make all the difference in someone’s life.
 

Learn More About Road to Recovery