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Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society resumes service in Richmond

Richmond riders could be picked up by the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society as the services will resume in August.
Nono Shen
Nono Shen
Cancer - George photo
George Garrett, a volunteer driver (now retired from that) and also one of three founders of the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society.Submitted photo

The Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society is now picking up Richmond riders after the pandemic paused the service.

As a non-profit, the society has been serving various communities throughout the Lower Mainland since 2016 and their volunteer drivers have been providing complimentary transport for residents battling cancer. 

George Garrett, radio reporter and founder of the society, said they had to discontinue the service when COVID-19 hit, but the need and demand for still continued. 

Now they’re slowly resuming taking patients from home to treatment centres, waiting for them there and driving them home later. 

Meanwhile, more volunteer drivers are needed to keep the program running in Richmond. 

Drivers are required to have a minimum of $3 million third party liability insurance, provide a criminal record check and need to be familiar with maps or electronic navigation devices.

Drivers and patients are required to wear a face mask, use hand sanitizers. Disinfectant wipes will be provided. 

The patients must ride in the back seat and they need to answer questions about whether they have a cold or flu or have had visitors from any country, according to George McAffer, the society’s executive vice president. 

Drivers are reimbursed for the kilometres driven and parking costs, added McAffer. 

To learn more about the program, visit https://www.volunteercancerdrivers.ca/volunteer/volunteer-application.