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“A million kilometres” in 2024
As the need for cancer patient rides from Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society is forecast to grow again in 2025
Surrey, B.C. (January 9, 2025): For the first time ever, volunteers who drive cancer patients to treatment appointments throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley covered more than one million kilometres in a single year, according to the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society (VCDS).
The service is complimentary, no matter how frequently appointments are needed, and is provided by a well-organized group of volunteer drivers using their own vehicles.
“The grand total was 1,000,138 kilometres as the new year arrived — almost four times the distance to the moon. It’s an impressive milestone representing the care and compassion of volunteers dedicated to helping others in their communities,” says Bob Smith, president of VCDS.
“The number of cancer patients needing our support for trips to appointments continues to rise. Our volunteers provided a record 38,386 patient trips in 2024, and we’re forecasting that number will reach 42,000 this year. As our population ages, the rate of cancer increases, and the need for transportation to care will continue to expand.”
Recruiting additional drivers is an ongoing focus for VCDS, which was established nearly a decade ago and has grown steadily since.
“With the growing need, we are constantly seeking more volunteers to help drive patients who often have no other way to get to their appointments. We provide a modest vehicle allowance based on distance driven,” Smith adds.
“We are working to fund our program this year at just over $700,000. Donations and grants are a key lifeline for us, and we are grateful for the support of organizations and individuals alike,” Smith says.
“Our annual year-end fundraising campaign was impacted by the postal strike, so we hope individuals, service clubs, foundations, municipalities, and corporate sponsors will step forward to help keep this essential service responsive to the growing needs of cancer patients in our communities.”
Join the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society
Complete the application on our website:
volunteercancerdrivers.ca
.
A volunteer will contact you to arrange engagement, training, and orientation.
About Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society
Incorporated as a not-for-profit society in 2016, VCDS is an all-volunteer registered charity with 459 volunteers, including drivers, dispatchers, and board members.
VCDS Driver Profile
Drivers are service-to-others-minded and available during Monday to Friday clinic hours, using their own vehicles to provide door-to-door patient transportation.
VCDS drivers come from a wide range of backgrounds, are predominantly retired, and often have a personal or family connection to cancer.
Drivers receive a vehicle allowance of $0.58 per kilometre.
VCDS Funding
As a community-funded service, VCDS relies entirely on volunteer efforts to generate donations and grants from foundations, corporations, patients, the public, municipalities, first responders, service clubs and associations, and importantly, from our own volunteer members.