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Lloyd Dowd “Why I Drive”
When Lloyd Dowd, a resident of Richmond, began thinking about retirement, he also began thinking about purpose. After hearing the late George Garrett speak about the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, he tucked the idea away, returning to it when the time felt right. In July 2023, that intention turned into action, and Lloyd began volunteering as a driver in Richmond.
Every ride Lloyd provides is more than a trip to an appointment. It is companionship, listening, reassurance, and sometimes laughter on a day that might otherwise feel heavy.
“One patient complimented my hair from the back seat.”
That unexpected moment still makes him laugh. He has also held space for deeply moving conversations with people facing uncertainty, courage, grief, and hope.
Lloyd has witnessed remarkable honesty from patients — from young women navigating breast cancer to individuals receiving difficult news about their prognosis. Through it all, he has gained a deeper understanding of resilience, perspective, and the quiet strength people carry into treatment rooms every day.
He describes volunteering as satisfying, funny, and a profound learning experience. It has reshaped how he sees his own worries, reminding him how small they are compared to what many patients endure.
When he is not volunteering, Lloyd finds joy in gardening, motorcycle riding, and visiting his grandchildren in New Zealand.
Thank you, Lloyd, for the compassion, humility, and humanity you bring to every drive and for being such a meaningful part of our VCDS community. Your presence makes a difference in ways you may never fully see.
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.