Lake County patient transportation service looking for volunteers

A group of volunteers that is helping save lives is asking for some assistance of its own.

Road to Recovery, a transportation service for Lake County cancer patients, is looking for volunteers to help address a growing number of calls requesting rides.

With only 20 volunteers now enrolled in the program, organizers say they need more drivers to keep pace with the 10 new ride requests they receive each week.

The 5-year-old volunteer-based organization operates through the American Cancer Society. So far in 2008, it has provided more than 200 rides to patients in need of transportation to and from their cancer treatments.

"We set up Road to Recovery because we realized that some people were not able to go to their treatments for physical, financial or supportive reasons," said Sarah Russ, a patient services representative for the Lake County American Cancer Society. "Our program takes out the stress for patients who are worried about how they are going to get to their appointments."

Road to Recovery is willing to work with volunteers' schedules so their needs and the needs of their cancer patients are fulfilled.

"I have already driven two different women in the past three weeks, and I've found that it's taken little effort and it's so easy," said Amy Ashcraft, a volunteer driver for Road to Recovery. "You may feel a little apprehensive at first, like it is getting to know anyone for the first time, but overall it's nice to know we are contributing a little to saving their lives."

The American Cancer Society has offices in Lincolnshire, Arlington Heights and Evanston. In order to be an eligible driver, you must be over 21; have a valid driver's license, insurance, and a clean driving record; and be willing to attend a one-hour orientation meeting.

"If we can't help people through our Road to Recovery program, then we will find other resources to help them," Russ said. "We can help them with train tickets and we also collaborate between our other offices in Cook County and other areas if the patient's doctor's office is farther away."

For people who are interested in becoming volunteer drivers or for cancer patients needing transportation, visit The American Cancer Society's Web Site at www.cancer.org or call its 24-hour cancer hotline at (800) ACS-2345.