Charlotte, NC – October 10, 2012 – Every day thousands of cancer patients need rides to medical facilities for treatment. To help solve this problem, the American Cancer Society is relaunching its Road to Recovery program in Mecklenburg County. Through this program, volunteers provide free transportation for local cancer patients in need of a ride to and from cancer treatment.
“In my practice, I have seen firsthand the effect that a lack of reliable transportation can have on medical care,” said Dr. Otis W. Brawley, chief medical officer, American Cancer Society. “Some forms of treatment, such as radiation, may require a patient to commit to daily office appointments for weeks at a time. When patients cannot get back and forth, they may be left with fewer or more devastating treatment options.”
Many of the people assisted through the Road to Recovery program do not own a vehicle, cannot afford bus fare or do not live where public transportation is available. Some patients are elderly and unable to drive and have no one nearby who can provide regular assistance with transportation.
“The Road to Recovery program is a tremendous asset to this community and most importantly to the individuals seeking cancer treatment,” said LeeAnna Perry, mission delivery director for the American Cancer Society. “This program saves lives and we need the help of local residents to make that happen.”
Anyone interested in volunteering as a driver must have a good driving record, valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and a vehicle in good working condition. The American Cancer Society provides free training for the program. For more information on becoming a Road to Recovery volunteer, contact LeeAnna Perry at (704) 553-5378 or leeanna.perry@cancer.org.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people inAmericawho have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
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