community focus and volunteerism

Columbus, Indiana gains a Road to Recovery program after the floods
When floods hit Bartholomew and surrounding counties in Indiana on June 6, no one could have imagined the impact. Around 1500 homes, businesses, and facilities were damaged by the accumulation of flood water. Columbus Regional Hospital was one of the facilities that suffered a great deal of damage...it was reported they sustained about $125 million worth.

Water filled the basement level where the hospital’s IT department, labs, radiology department, and food services are housed. In addition, about 18 inches of water covered the first floor of the facility that provides care to Bartholomew and surrounding counties. Providing emergency services was the first priority after the floods. After a few weeks without emergency care, Columbus Regional Hospital can now provide emergency services using mobile units they have obtained. Though the hospital is working very hard to restore the damage, regular hospital services will not be available to the community for an unknown period of time.

"The community was very hard hit," said Terri Jones, ACS Community Program Representative. "For a few days we were unable to get to our American Cancer Society office. When we did, we discovered that although the water was within 100 feet from our building, we had been very fortunate. We didn't sustain any damage."

The middle school that was to be the site of the Relay For Life event of Bartholomew County had become the Red Cross Emergency Shelter for those in the community who were homeless. It later became the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters. The Relay was initially scheduled for June 21, but was rescheduled to August 23. "Our volunteers were determined that although we had to reschedule the Relay, we could not cancel," said Terri.

A major concern for ACS staff was that cancer patients who were receiving care at the hospital would need to be treated at facilities outside of Columbus and knew that transportation might be an issue. "We did not have a Road to Recovery program in this community, but knew that we were well positioned to provide one. All we needed were volunteers."

"We sent e-mails to our Relay For Life committee members and utilized the Chamber of Commerce e-mail listing to send an appeal to the community asking for volunteers to assist in transporting cancer patients. We asked everyone to appeal to any clubs, organizations, churches, friends, and family that they might know to spread the word that we needed volunteers - and they did."

Within a week, The American Cancer Society had received calls from more than 20 volunteers who wanted to help. The Society held a training session on June 28. Thanks to those dedicated volunteers, ACS has a brand new Road to Recovery program ready to assist the patients in Bartholomew County with transportation needs.

"Volunteers make everything that we do possible. This is just one example of the wonderful work that they do to move our mission forward," said Terri.

To learn more about the Road to Recovery program and how you can get involved with one near you, call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

Pictured: Columbus Regional Hospital (top right); Neighborhood in Columbus affected by floods (bottom right)