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American Cancer Society Seeks Volunteer Drivers
The American Cancer Society is currently seeking volunteers from the Sharon area to drive cancer patients to treatment appointments as part of their Road to Recovery program. "If you have a car and some time available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., you can make a real difference in someone's life by becoming a volunteer driver," said Helen Chain, Regional Executive for Cancer Control at the American Cancer Society.
A cancer patient who needs radiation therapy might require between 20 and 30 trips to the clinic within six weeks. A patient receiving chemotherapy might report for treatment weekly for up to a year. "Treatment can make a patient feel too sick to drive. In many cases, a patient is driven to hospitals and clinics by relatives or friends, but occasionally they need to seek alternative transportation. That's where Road to Recovery comes in," Ms. Chain said.
Volunteer drivers receive training from the American Cancer Society, and are asked to volunteer for one or two mornings or afternoons each month. Volunteer coordinators match drivers' availability with the needs of patients who call.
"Driving patients is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do as a volunteer," Ms. Chain said. "Sometimes a driver will have the opportunity to bring the same patient several times, get to know them, and be able to offer support. Especially for patients who have no family in the area, the Road to Recovery program is an extremely helpful resource."
For more info or to volunteer as a Road to Recovery driver, call 800-ACS-2345. Cancer information is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling the American Cancer Society at the above number, or by visiting <www.cancer.org>.
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