I am a regular Volunteer Driver for the Canadian Cancer Society's Wheels of Hope Program and will continue to do so throughout 2017 and beyond. You can find more information about the program directly from the Society here:
http://www.cancer.ca/en/support-and-services/support-services/transportation-on/?region=on
Or through a news story covering the program and the services offered:
http://globalnews.ca/news/1780921/t...gram-provides-free-rides-for-cancer-patients/
I not only provide a ride for these patients in great need, but I also provide a caring person for emotional support and someone kind to talk to and who is willing to listen. I am an extremely caring individual which can be a struggle at times in my personal life, but in the capacity of a driver I am a perfect fit and able to offer these patients the support and care they need. I take mainly patients 18+, but this year they are phasing out a family assistance program which covered the transportation costs of families with children afflicted with this horrible disease. They will no longer be compensating families and will be having them signing up with the Wheels of Hope program I am a part of. So in the new year I will be transporting quite a few kids for treatment at Sick Kids hospital downtown. This I feel will be particularly challenging as everyone knows how difficult it is to see someone suffer with horrible diseases like cancer, but then put a child in their place and the heart strings just get all twisted up. However, my job is to help and support them and I will dutifully provide that as well as always give them everything I possibly can.
It has been so enlightening for me as I deal with chronic disease and disorders and life has been an uneasy ride from the start. However, to see some of these patients with near terminal illness still able to appreciate life for all it offers seems to be part antidote to my own misery some days. If they can still be happy with all they have to deal with, I should be able to manage something similar.
They are also so appreciative of the time and service that you are volunteering. So many unneeded thank yous and even gifts or small gestures of coffees and etc are just one way they who how much they appreciate what you do. I've had gifts given to me and as I try to refuse, patients have said you have no idea how much you have done for us. One patient was so nervous about her treatment and the fact I was able to provide the suppprt she needed and comfort her she feels the need to give me something to say thanks. I don't need gifts or anything, I am just happy knowing I could help make someone else's life a little easier is a gift enough for me.
I am actually a very in demand Driver for the society. I am very flexible and am willing to drive far distances to get patients to treatment. I actually like the distance drives as it gives more time to interact with the patient and inadvertently help through distraction or just by being a kind and caring listener. Most patients I take call their coordinator to ask if I can be their full time driver. Which happens in some cases, but is not always possible as I have a varying schedule. I also get patients just calling me to ask how I am weeks after driving them while sometimes they ask ask if I am available on certain day they have treatment. I will tell them if I am and if I am, they have to call their coordinator at the Society and they can schedule them with me. I give about 1-4 days per week year round to the service depending on availability with appointments and etc. I only work an actual paid job part time on the weekends when they are closed so I have lots of opportunity to enlist and help out when not at doctor's appointments and etc.
I give my all to the service and the patients it serves. I will never give any less and will always be a positive part of their day regardless of my own struggles. I hear from some patients there are some pretty grumpy drivers who are just unfriendly and not helpful. I can't believe they allow these people, but it seems that there is such a demand they need all the drivers they can get. I will never be grumpy or unfriendly though. Firstly it's just not in my nature, but secondly these patients have enough to deal with and a stressful ride to treatment is not something that should ever be added to their plate.
Few other things about the program is there is a one time $100 fee for the program, but this is for a lifetime of service, for as long as you have any time of cancer and have related appointments for follow up, treatment planning, treatment and etc. Even if they cure you and you come out of remission you are always eligible for the program once that initial fee has been paid. Also, nobody is ever turned away, if you can't pay the fee they will waive it for you. No family or person will ever have any difficulty accessing this service. It is available to everyone regardless of income. Most people on assistance or disability pay $0 for a lifetime of service.
This Volunteering opportunity is probably the most fulfilling thing I have ever done in my lifetime. And I don't even do it for that feeling, I do it because I want to help society somewhere where help is needed and by doing so, I am left feeling like I have actually done some good and contributed positively to the lives of others, especially those with terrible diseases like cancer.
Besides, telling our stories might encourage others to find their own opportunity to serve.
