Wheels of Hope Transportation Program in search of more volunteers

“Angels with wheels” is how Diane summarized the Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope Transportation Program. The Lindsay resident had received a cancer diagnosis that required her to receive regular treatments in Oshawa. Thanks to the highly-integrated network of communication that is involved in cancer care, Diane had a ride lined up even before she had an appointment. Her driver was punctual and everything proceeded as smoothly as could be imagined.

The Wheels of Hope operates across Canada, ensuring that people like Diane who live at some distance from clinics and hospitals specializing in cancer treatment can be safely and efficiently ferried to their appointments. The service is provided by volunteer drivers – and here in Kawartha Lakes, at least, there is a need for more of them.

Wayne Bush is one of those drivers. Back in 1981, his one year-old son was diagnosed with cancer, and over the course of that journey he and his wife found themselves driving another family from Sick Children’s Hospital back to Peterborough. “They told us about Wheels of Hope,” Bush recalls from his home in Cavan, “and when I retired I wanted to repay the debt, because Wheels of Hope had helped us out when we needed it most.”

Bush began volunteering as a driver in 2012 and hasn’t looked back.

“I run three days a week, and will set aside a whole day to take patients to appointments,” he tells Kawartha Lakes Weekly. If there is a technological malfunction, or any other kind of delay that might prolong an appointment, drivers will adjust their schedules accordingly. Bush notes that novice volunteers are fully trained and will ride with veteran Wheels of Hope drivers to get a sense of routes and routines. Drivers can select which routes they will run and when they will be available; the Canadian Cancer Society will pay for mileage, fuel, and wear and tear on vehicles.

Over the past thirteen years, Bush has had the opportunity to meet all kinds of people, sharing – if only for a few hours each day – some time with patients in their journey through cancer. Diane speaks highly of drivers like Bush, who can put their minds at ease as they head into treatment. “The driver told jokes, and took the pressure off of me,” Diane recalls of her first trip with Wheels of Hope. “We talked about family, about food, about who enjoys butter tarts, and who does not.”

Bush speaks with enthusiasm about Wheels of Hope and encourages interested volunteers to sign up as drivers. “I quite enjoy doing this,” he says warmly. “I love joking around with patients – laughter is the best medicine. It gives me something to do, and it’s a joy when someone says they are cancer-free and feels good to have helped out.”

For more information about Wheels of Hope, please call 1-888-939-3333.