K104 is so proud to partner with The American Cancer Society once again in 2023 to advocate for their programs and events in the Hudson Valley. Specifically, the Road To Recovery® program is an extremely moving and helpful program for patients of cancer treatment and anyone who wants to volunteer to help make the treatment process easier, by providing patients with free rides to their appointments.
Anyone can apply to volunteer as a driver, after a DMV screening and a short period of training, you can help someone alleviate some stress by bringing patients to their appointments. Cancer is an extremely devastating and time consuming disease, and just by donating your time and taking the stress of commuting to an appointment off a brave patients shoulders, you can play an active role in ensuring patients are getting the care that they deserve.
For more information on the Road To Recovery® program, or the generous mother and son duo participating in the program please take a minute and read below :
Caption: Mother and son from Dutchess County, N.Y. – Peter Gillespie, sophomore at Stony Brook University, and Brenda Gillespie – volunteer for the American Cancer Society by providing free rides to cancer treatment for those who cannot drive themselves.
“The American Cancer Society is in need of volunteer drivers for its Road To Recovery® program in the Lower Hudson Valley. The program ensures that patients get to their cancer care from volunteers who help provide free rides for treatment.
Volunteer drivers donate their time and can provide as few or as many rides as they want each month. After the application and DMV screening, drivers are required to certify that they are fully vaccinated and will continue to maintain that status during their service to the program. All volunteer drivers must participate in a short training, have a good driving record, a current and valid driver’s license, proof of adequate automobile insurance, access to a safe and reliable vehicle, can schedule their availability online, and internet access.
Mother and son duo, Brenda Gillespie and Peter Gillespie, have been donating their time to the Road To Recovery® program. Peter drives patients in between classes while attending college on Long Island, and Brenda, from their home in Holmes, N.Y., a few times a week.
“Giving money is not the same as giving your time. That experience of person-to-person and sharing something that is so tough is very powerful,” said Brenda, who is a serial-volunteer in her community, donating money to causes, disaster-relief efforts and charities, and appreciates the 1:1 human connection she gets from interacting with patients as she transports them to their treatments. “This is a human thing to do, from one person to another. We have to care about people.”
“You play an active role in helping save a life and help to carry out a life-saving treatment for these patients,” said Peter, who learned about the program while interning at a cancer center and told his mother about the program. He plans to pursue a career in the medical field after graduation.
The American Cancer Society estimates 123,810 New Yorkers will be diagnosed with cancer in 2023.
To learn more about volunteering for the American Cancer Society Road To Recovery® program, visit cancer.org/drive. If you are a cancer patient needing transportation assistance, contact the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345. “