The American Cancer Society- Road to Recovery Resource

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has been on the front line to help reduce cancer spread and ensure patients live a better life. To achieve this, it has initiated several resources for the wellbeing of the patients. Examples include; an information center (NCIC) where people seek information relating to cancer. The center also provides free consultation by trained cancer information specialists. Another resource is accommodation in which there are programs called Cancer Lodging Programs. They offer accommodation to patients who may have to travel far to get treatment. Besides those two, there are free rides to treatment (Ride to Recovery). This paper will focus on Ride to recovery resource and explain how it is valuable to the patients and society.

About Ride to Recovery Resource

Ride to Recovery is a transport program service offered by ACS to help patients who have no means of getting to treatment centers. Even with family members and friends’ help, sometimes patients may not have access to every ride they require. Its slogan is that transportation should not prevent an individual from finding treatment. Besides treatment, the program also helps patients find the best treatment center based on their situation. To better serve the community, the program is comprised of drivers who volunteer their cars and time to help patients. Thus, it works on a volunteering basis. Patients who seek to benefit from the program are considered eligible on three terms. One, one must be traveling to a cancer-related appointment. Secondly, if a patient may have difficulties to walk, a caregiver may be needed to accompany them. Lastly, one must inquire about the ride in advance as it may take more than one business day to coordinate it.

Benefits of the Resource

The resource has benefited both the patients and their families in many ways. One, those patients who are needy have found a way out to their appointments. Some of the patients have drained all their finances in medication, so it may be difficult to meet transport needs. Such patients have greatly benefited as they only need to call the Ride’s support team to the recovery program. For instance, Wade Andrews a cancer survivor, says, “How did it help me? It is part of me being alive today” (ACS, n.d). Two, it has helped patients who may not be able to drive themselves. Some patients may be in critical condition, cannot drive themselves, and may not have a family to help them. In such a case, they may get help from the resource.

Furthermore, such patients’ bodies stay in good condition because they do not tire from driving. Thirdly, it helps patients save money for other expenses. Even though someone may have afforded transport to a hospital, they save that money and perhaps use it to buy medication or basic needs if they get help from the program.

The program has been a great resource to American cancer patients and has seen many people saving their lives, especially the needy patients. However, 10/11 news cited by Sylve (2019) says that there are not enough drivers and some states such as Nebraska are in dire need of more volunteers. To be a road to recovery driver, one must be eighteen years and above, have a reliable vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and a good driving record (Sylve, 2019). The ultimate goal is to save lives.

References

ACS. (n.d.). American Cancer Society transportation. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-and-services/patient-transportation.html

Sylve, K. (2019, October 3). Road to Recovery needs more volunteers to drive cancer patients to treatments. Retrieved from https://www.1011now.com/content/news/Road-to-Recovery-needs-more-volunteers-to-drive-cancer-patients-to-treatments