Road to Recovery provides transportation for cancer patients to and from their scheduled cancer-related medical appointments. Transportation is provided according to the needs and available resources in the community.

Northeast Indiana has had a Road program for nearly 10 years, serving the following counties: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley. Huntington County recently had seven members of the Salamonie Church of the Brethren sign up during a campaign drive. Deb Davis was one of the new drivers and when she heard there was a need for a coordinator for the area program, she leapt at the opportunity.

“I said I could coordinate the seven of us and after I heard they needed a coordinator, I thought, I can do that!” explained Deb. Now transportation needs are passed along to Deb, who then calls her volunteers to determine availability.    

Janet Coomer is one of the cancer patients in Whitley County who has benefited from Road to Recovery. Her treatment is five days a week and 40 miles away. When Janet called for rides, Deb thought it would be a difficult request to fill, but it only took three calls to her volunteers.

“This has been a godsend,” said Janet. “If it wasn’t for them, I couldn’t get back and forth for my radiation. The three couples have been absolutely marvelous people and I’d recommend them to anybody.”

Road to Recovery volunteers provide an essential service because even the greatest medical advance is useless if patients can’t get to treatment.

“I would have been hard pressed to get people to take me if it weren’t for this program and my brother,” said George Rentovich, a Whitley County resident who used Road to Recovery to get to his first week of radiation treatments. “The drivers are outstanding. They drive very carefully and are courteous, always offering the use of their time if required in the near future.”

Being a Road to Recovery volunteer only requires a safe driving record, a valid driver’s license, some free time, a vehicle in good working condition, and the desire to help. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of people affected by cancer by becoming a Road to Recovery volunteer, please call your local American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

If you are in need of transportation, volunteers are ready to drive you. “I know how hard it is for people to ask for help, but there are so many of us that want to help so please let us,” said Deb. To find a Road to Recovery program in your area, call us toll-free at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Pictured: Volunteer driver Bonnie Dennis (above left); Giving patients a helping hand (above right)