The American Cancer Society is asking for more local support to expand the area’s transportation service for local cancer patients. The service is called Road To Recovery and provides free transportation to cancer patients that need assistance getting to and from treatment-related appointments.
Last year alone, this program provided over 1,000 rides in Geauga and contiguous counties to those in need. Across Ohio, ACS transportation services provided over 10,500 rides to those in need. Many cancer patients don’t own a vehicle, can’t afford the extra gasoline, or don’t have access to public transportation. Some patients may be elderly and unable to drive, feel too ill to drive, or have no family members or friends who are able to provide regular assistance with transportation. Transportation barriers can be a significant issue that prevents someone from making it to any or all of their treatment appointments.
Community members can support this program by signing up to become a volunteer driver. Volunteers use a web-based program to learn about ride requests in their neighborhood. It is a flexible opportunity and volunteers can sign up for rides on a case-by- case basis depending on their availability. By signing up to become a driver, volunteers can provide a potentially lifesaving service in their community.
Interested volunteers must complete a mandatory Road To Recovery volunteer training and must pass a background check, which will be provided by the American Cancer Society. Volunteers will need access to a safe a reliable vehicle, have proof of automobile insurance, have some flexible availability Monday-Friday during the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., and have access to a computer or tablet.
In addition to transportation assistance, the American Cancer Society offers a variety of other services in Geauga County and surrounding areas. Lodging services can be provided to those that are required by their doctor to travel out of town for treatment. This is not limited to Cleveland, Youngstown, Akron or Columbus, but can also provide to those travelling to treatment nationwide.
Support programs, such as the Look Good Feel Better program, are offered on a regular basis at University Hospital’s Geauga Medical Center. The American Cancer Society also provides the National Cancer Information Center (NCIC), which is available 24/7 to patients, families, and friends in need of reliable information about a cancer diagnosis, information about support services in their community, and more. To connect with the NCIC or to learn more about any of these services, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800- 227-2345 at any time.
The Road To Recovery program is at the very heart of the American Cancer Society’s mission to remove barriers to quality health care. Even the best treatment can’t work if a patient can’t get there. Join the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer by signing up to become a driver today.
For more information about the volunteer opportunity, contact TJ Gerrett, local Program Manager, at 1-888-227- 6446 x 1106 or email Torrie.Gerrett@cancer.org. To learn more about other ACS Programs, or if you are in need of support, call the American Cancer Society at any time at 1-800- 227-3245.
