Nicole Bienvenu | Why I Drive

For Nicole, volunteering is about showing up for people when it matters most.

“I’ve always believed in supporting my community, especially in moments that matter most. When someone is facing cancer, it doesn’t matter what kind, it impacts the individual in such a profound way. They need someone who cares and is willing to lend a hand.”

Based in the beautiful community of Chilliwack, Nicole has been volunteering with the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society since 2023. Since her very first ride, she has been committed to helping patients feel supported, comfortable, and at ease on their way to treatment, whether that means quiet companionship, music, or conversation.

Nicole supports patients travelling across the region, from Chilliwack to Abbotsford, Surrey, Burnaby, Port Moody, and Vancouver, always showing up with compassion and care.

And then there is her car.

Nicole drives a fully electric vehicle with meaningful custom graphics inspired by Mount Cheam and local stories, something that often becomes an unexpected and delightful conversation starter.

“The moment they realize the car is doing most of the driving, it becomes the centre of conversation. Of course, I remind them I’m the supervisor!”

It is those lighthearted moments that help break the ice and bring a sense of calm.

Outside of volunteering, Nicole enjoys photography and creating with her 3D printer and laser. With a background in computing and years spent at TRIUMF, a research facility producing isotopes for cancer treatment, her connection to this work runs even deeper.

“You can’t help but think ‘what if.’ That’s why, while I can, I want to help. Giving back in this way… it’s a gift.”

When asked what she would say to someone considering volunteering, her answer is simple and powerful:

“The reward is like giving a gift to someone who needs it most, at the moment it matters most.”

Nicole describes her experience in three words: gratitude, gift, and life.

Thank you, Nicole, for the care, innovation, and heart you bring to every journey.