Davide Bonamici – “Why I Drive”

“Purpose. Commitment. Hope.”

For Davide, a resident of Burnaby, volunteering with the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society (VCDS) is more than service — it’s a way to honour those who never had the chance to grow old.

“Not everybody has a chance to grow old, and for many, it’s a privilege denied.”

Davide knows that truth intimately. He’s stood close to loss — nearly losing his mother to cancer and watching friends and family fight their own battles. That perspective has shaped how he sees time, purpose, and giving back.

“When you’ve seen people fighting for more time, you realize that helping isn’t just an act of kindness — it’s a responsibility we must pay forward.”

For the past few years, Davide has been driving cancer patients across the Lower Mainland, helping them reach their treatments safely and with dignity. He began shortly after COVID, determined to do something meaningful with his time and to carry forward the memory of those he’s lost.

What he values most is simple yet profound:

“The opportunity to help others. To make their journey a little easier. Sometimes it’s just a conversation on the way to the battlefield.”

He’s inspired by the courage of the people he meets — patients who, despite everything, still smile, still say thank you, and still share their optimism.

When he’s not volunteering, Davide leads a busy professional life but makes time for balance: cycling (he’s completed five Ride to Conquer Cancer events, raising over $15,000), exploring wine tasting and courses, and enjoying the quiet moments life offers.

To anyone thinking about volunteering, his message is clear:

“You have the privilege to make a difference in someone’s life — don’t waste that chance.”

Thank you, Davide, for your compassion, purpose, and unwavering hope. Your kindness reminds us that while time is precious, how we use it defines us.