The Irish Cancer Society’s volunteer driver service has said that 356 journeys totalling a travel distance of 50,525km were covered by 46 Irish Cancer Society volunteer drivers in Mayo last year. This is a free transport service and is available to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments in Mayo University Hospital and University Hospital Galway.
Gail Flinter, patient travel and financial support manager with the Irish Cancer Society, said: “The volunteer driver service allows cancer patients access to free transport to and from their chemotherapy treatments, removing the stress, difficulty, and financial burden of travelling at a challenging time. This is a local service with local drivers driving local patients to and from their treatments.
“There are a number of reasons why a cancer patient may need to use the volunteer driver service," she added. "They may have been advised by their doctor not to drive due to the nature of the treatment, the patient may have no family in the immediate vicinity, or family members or friends may be unable to take time off work to transport them to treatment. In any of these cases, it is really important to know that there is free and easily accessible support out there.”
Local volunteer driver Seamus Moran from Westport, said, “I have been volunteering as a driver with the Irish Cancer Society for nearly two years now and I really enjoy helping out in my spare time. I lost my wife to cancer back in 2003 so I have direct experience and some appreciation of what families are going through when they are dealing with a cancer diagnosis and the different treatment plans.
“I have been involved with various cancer charities for about 14 years now. After I retired in 2014 I had some spare time on my hands and I wanted to offer some kind of support and give something back, however small, to people going through cancer. Driving people to their appointments is a very worthwhile thing to be able to do. The response from patients is that they are so appreciative of this service and find that it removes one large worry from their mind, especially when they are being challenged by their diagnosis and treatment. From a personal perspective, it gives me a sense of satisfaction that I am able to help someone during a difficult phase in their life.”
“Before I became a volunteer I had to complete a training programme and undertake all of the relevant clearance checks so it’s good to know that it’s a very thorough process. I would advise any cancer patients from the Mayo area, or their family and friends, to look into the service as it could turn out to be a really helpful support to them during a difficult time.”
The driver service is free to the patient, with volunteer drivers being paid a contribution towards their fuel, all road toll costs and some subsistence during the day. Anyone who would like to avail of the service or would like further information can ask in their cancer treatment centre or contact the volunteer driver service team on (01 ) 2310 522, email [email protected] or log on to www.cancer.ie
