Emily Ong
Share the Spotlight Emily Ong — Burnaby residentTurning Gratitude Into Giving Back Years before Emily became a volunteer driver with Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, she experienced firsthand the difference a volunteer can make during one of life’s most difficult moments. When her dad was undergoing daily radiation treatments, he relied on a volunteer driver service […]
Leonard Dodson
Share the Spotlight Leonard Dodson — Coquitlam residentTen Years of Making a Difference Ten years ago, Leonard was a cancer patient himself. He was diagnosed with melanoma, which required surgery, and two years later with prostate cancer. Both were successfully treated. But during his prostate cancer treatment at Surrey Memorial Hospital, Leonard experienced something many […]
Marie Kirkham
Share the Spotlight Maria Kirkham — Burnaby residentThe Rewards of Giving Back “The rewards of volunteering are far greater than the effort you give.” When Marie Kirkham retired, she knew she wanted to continue giving back. Then, in early 2020, the world changed. As COVID-19 put volunteer opportunities on hold, Marie wondered where she could […]
Tom Keith
Share the Spotlight Tom Keith — Langley residentA Little Piece of Everyone For the past five years, Tom has volunteered as a driver with Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, helping people get to and from cancer appointments, treatments, and procedures. What began as giving someone a ride became something much more meaningful. Over the years, Tom […]
Eric Malkin
Share the Spotlight Eric Malkin — Vancouver residentWhy I Drive Eric, a resident of Vancouver, didn’t set out looking for recognition; he just said yes when a friend asked. About four years ago, his good friend Craig Newsholme encouraged him to start driving with Volunteer Cancer Drivers. Craig had joined a few months earlier, and […]
Michael Hui
Share the Spotlight Michael Hui — Port Moody resident More Than a Ride “It’s not just a ride. It’s a life-changing journey.” When Michael returned to Canada after nearly 20 years abroad, he wanted more than just to settle back into his neighbourhood; he wanted to become part of it again. After spotting a Volunteer […]
Shaffin Jetha
Share the Spotlight Shaffin Jetha — Burnaby residentEvery Ride Makes a Difference “Every ride is a chance to make a difference in someone’s life.” When Shaffin first thought about volunteering, he simply wanted to give back to the community he calls home. But life had other plans. After his mother suffered a stroke, Shaffin visited […]
Henry Dsouza
Share the Spotlight Henry Dsouza, New Westminster ResidentIt’s About the People When Henry Dsouza, a New Westminster resident, retired, he was looking for something meaningful to do with his mornings. What he found at Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society was much more than a way to stay busy. Most days, Henry starts his volunteer drives around […]
Sima Hadidi
Share the Spotlight Sima Hadidi, Richmond ResidentDriving with Compassion, Listening with Heart For Richmond volunteer driver Sima Hadidi, every ride is about far more than getting someone to an appointment. It is about offering kindness, understanding, and comfort during one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. Most of Sima’s drives begin in […]
Scott Bluekens
Share the Spotlight Scott BluekensFinding Purpose in the Journey For more than four years, West Vancouver driver Scott Bluekens has been helping patients get to and from their cancer treatments. For Scott, volunteering has been both rewarding and humbling, a meaningful way to give back while connecting with people whose grace, humour, and resilience have […]