Cancer group seeks drivers for patients

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October 17, 2012

Cancer group seeks drivers for patients

Tim Preston The Independent The Daily Independent Wed Oct 17, 2012, 11:06 PM EDT

ASHLAND — The northeastern Kentucky office of the American Cancer Society is looking for a couple of people willing to serve as volunteer drivers to transport local cancer patients to and from treatment related appointments, according to health initiatives representative Tiffanie Buckner.

“It could be anybody. Even if they could give just one day a month,” Buckner said Wednesday, adding retired people, those recently retired and especially retired educators have proven themselves almost perfect for the volunteer driving missions.

“They need a vehicle, a driver’s license and that’s pretty much it,” she said, adding volunteers must have insurance for the vehicle, and provide their own fuel. There is no lifting involved, she said, noting patients must be ambulatory or have a helper of thier own. Buckner also must submit a motor-vehicle report for each potential volunteer.

Volunteer drivers will be ready to roll after completing a one-time training course that lasts about an hour, and a quick education about the cancer organization.

“The program is flexible so they can choose how often and how far they want to drive,” Buckner said, adding drivers have the option of taking local cancer patients on longer trips, such as to appointments in Lexington.

“It truly is a life-changing program. It is very rewarding,” she said, explaining most cancer patients need a ride to a treatment-related destination roughly twice per month. Other patients, such as those with ongoing radiation treatments, may need rides each day, Buckner said.

“We have five drivers now and we need at least two more,” she said.

For more information or to volunteer, call (606) 325-8251.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com.

“It could be anybody. Even if they could give just one day a month,” Buckner said Wednesday, adding retired people, those recently retired and especially retired educators have proven themselves almost perfect for the volunteer driving missions.

“They need a vehicle, a driver’s license and that’s pretty much it,” she said, adding volunteers must have insurance for the vehicle, and provide their own fuel. There is no lifting involved, she said, noting patients must be ambulatory or have a helper of thier own. Buckner also must submit a motor-vehicle report for each potential volunteer.

Volunteer drivers will be ready to roll after completing a one-time training course that lasts about an hour, and a quick education about the cancer organization.

“The program is flexible so they can choose how often and how far they want to drive,” Buckner said, adding drivers have the option of taking local cancer patients on longer trips, such as to appointments in Lexington.

“It truly is a life-changing program. It is very rewarding,” she said, explaining most cancer patients need a ride to a treatment-related destination roughly twice per month. Other patients, such as those with ongoing radiation treatments, may need rides each day, Buckner said.

“We have five drivers now and we need at least two more,” she said.

For more information or to volunteer, call (606) 325-8251.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com.

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