Road to Recovery offers support for cancer patients

A few years ago, Elmhurst resident Chuck Pivoney, now 73, decided to add volunteering to his schedule.

He learned that volunteers were needed for Road to Recovery, an American Cancer Society program that matches cancer patients with rides to their medical treatments. Having spent much of his career as a driver for Chicago newspapers, Pivoney thought the job would be a perfect fit.

Unfortunately, he had even more relevant experience. Over the years, he had driven his daughter to her cancer treatments and later had done the same for his late wife and his grandson.

"I know how demanding treatment is and how you don't always have someone available to give you a ride," he says.

Pivoney saw flexibility as another big plus of volunteering for Road to Recovery, which he's now been doing about two days a week for three years.

"It's pretty easy to volunteer because you can choose your rides based on your schedule," Pivoney says. "It's very rewarding, and I've met lots of nice people."

"There's a critical need for more Road to Recovery drivers in our area," says Kelly Perez, ACS mission program manager. "Getting to and from medical treatments is one of the greatest concerns cancer patients face during treatment. When family and friends are not available to provide transportation patients may have difficulty completing their treatment schedules. Road to Recovery provides an option for transportation."

Sharon Rimgale, program director of oncology at Elmhurst Hospital, says Road to Recovery is important. "Cancer care typically requires many types of appointments for repeated treatments, tests and visits to the doctor. But many cancer patients are unable to drive, perhaps because they're older or not feeling well enough. The Road to Recovery volunteers take away their worry about getting to appointments.

"In some cases, lack of reliable transportation may even keep a patient from going to their preferred hospital or physician. Instead, they feel they have to choose a location that's serviced by public transportation. It's great that the American Cancer Society supports these patients in choosing their preferred health care providers."

Perez says Road to Recovery is great for those who have either wide open schedules or limited flexibility. "While some might want to volunteer several times a week, others may only be able to do so just a few times a month. Stay-at-home parents, retirees, and those with flexible work schedules are especially encouraged to volunteer."

Prospective volunteers fill out an application, submit copies of their driver's license and auto insurance cards, and undergo a background check.

Once a person is on the volunteer roster, they'll receive emails listing locations and times of rides needed. When the volunteer indicates interest in providing a particular ride, the ACS staff will contact the patient, and then confirm details and contact information with the volunteer.

"Road to Recovery has dedicated volunteers who undergo special training and background checks," Perez says. "If I were in the position of these patients, I'd be comfortable asking the program to arrange a ride for me."

To use Road to Recovery's services or to become a volunteer driver for the program, contact the American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345.