Share the Spotlight
Doug Brimacombe – Resident of White Rock
Doug describes volunteering with the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society in three words: “Sharing a journey.” Spend a few minutes with him, and you understand why.
Doug’s life has been shaped by leadership, service, and community. Over his career, he served as CEO of the YMCA, CEO of the SPCA, worked in city management, and later taught leadership at the University of Alberta. For Doug, leadership was never about titles. It was about people, relationships, and doing the right thing.
When he retired, Doug chose to step away from boardrooms and policies. He wanted something more hands-on. More human. A way to connect directly with people and make a tangible difference.
That path led him to VCDS in 2020. Driving felt simple, honest, and meaningful. It also felt personal. Doug understands the cancer journey not only through the patients he serves, but through supporting his own wife through cancer. He knows how heavy and lonely the road can feel, especially for those without family, transportation, or financial flexibility.
One ride has stayed with him to this day, leaving a profound effect.
Doug once drove a Filipino woman who had come to Canada as a caregiver, leaving her home and family behind to build a better future. During COVID-19, she lost her job. Not long after, she was diagnosed with cancer.
Living alone, with limited income and limited English, she faced her diagnosis with no safety net. On the day of her first radiation treatment, she spent nearly six hours on buses, exhausted, frightened, and spending money she could barely afford, just to get the care she needed to survive. By the time she arrived, she was already worn down.
Before her second treatment, she learned about VCDS and booked a ride with Doug. On the drive home, still fragile from treatment, she turned to him through tears and said, “You saved my life.”
Doug later told his wife, his voice full of quiet awe, “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
For Doug, volunteerism is a two-way street. He gives time and care, but receives connection, perspective, gratitude, and growth in return. “I’m a better person because of this,” he says.
He believes what makes VCDS special is its heart. The relationships. The belonging. The shared commitment to showing up for people when it matters most.
Outside of volunteering, Doug enjoys hockey, pickleball with his wife, staying active, and spending time with his five children and five grandchildren. He feels deeply grateful for the life he’s lived and the chance to keep giving back.
At the core of Doug’s story is a simple truth: life is a shared journey. Sometimes that looks like leadership. Sometimes listening. And sometimes, it looks like giving someone a ride when they need it most.
And in Doug’s case, it looks like showing up with heart, humility, and humanity, every time.
Thank you, Doug, for sharing the journey.
If you have time, kindness, and a willingness to walk beside someone on a difficult day, we invite you to consider joining our volunteer team. One simple act of service can bring comfort, dignity, and hope to someone who needs it most.