60 Treatments, One Lifeline:The rides that got me there
Bruce’s Journey
At the time I began using Volunteer Cancer Drivers, I had been retired for ten years and was living with my wife in a rural area of Chilliwack.
I was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, underwent radiation treatments in 2023, and had surgery early in 2025. In May 2025, my oncologist referred me to the Hyperbaric Unit at Vancouver General Hospital for further treatment. Due to periods of significant pain and discomfort, I was unable to drive from my home in Chilliwack to attend daily weekday appointments in Vancouver.
My treatment schedule was complex. Each week, I needed to travel to Vancouver on Monday mornings and return home on Fridays. During the week, I received daily treatments at VGH and stayed at Vancouver Lodge, a Canadian Cancer Society residence for out-of-town patients.
Before I could begin treatment, I faced an unexpected challenge: coordinating transportation and lodging. I needed to commit to a treatment start date, secure a stay at Vancouver Lodge, and ensure that the transportation arrangements aligned with both. It proved difficult to plan everything in advance.
I remember feeling stressed and conflicted. I even turned down early treatment dates because I could not confirm transportation in time and was unsure how to bring all the pieces together.
Without reliable transportation, I may have had no choice but to check into the lodge on a weekend and remain there for the full duration of my treatment without returning home. Some of the other patients I met, particularly those travelling from more distant parts of British Columbia and the Yukon, had to do exactly that. I saw firsthand how difficult it was for them to be away from home for so long.
Everything changed when I learned about Volunteer Cancer Drivers through the Canadian Cancer Society website.
In total, I underwent 60 hyperbaric treatments over four months, from mid-July to mid-November 2025. Family members could not assist with regular weekday travel, and relying on taxis or public transit would have been both difficult and costly. Volunteer Cancer Drivers made it possible for me to move forward with treatment.
Tammy, the VCDS dispatcher, was exceptionally helpful, understanding, and flexible in coordinating my rides. She often accommodated last-minute changes to my appointment schedule. Bookings were initially made online and then confirmed or adjusted each week through phone calls, emails, and text messages. I also connected regularly with the volunteer drivers assigned to my trips.
Each week, when he was scheduled, Gerry would pick me up around 6:00 a.m. to get me into Vancouver in time for my morning treatment and to check back into Vancouver Lodge. He once joked that he got “some of his best sleep at 4:30 a.m.” I appreciated just how early he had to start his day to make those Monday morning drives.
Despite traffic congestion and changing weather, Gerry always brought a dry sense of humour to the journey. He had a wealth of life experience, and our conversations ranged widely. Along with his collection of fine music, those conversations made the time pass quickly, even on days when I was dealing with lingering pain or discomfort from earlier treatments.
Every driver I travelled with was kind and easy to be with. Many had personal experience with cancer, which brought a deeper level of understanding and compassion to the journey.
At first, it had felt overwhelming—almost impossible—to manage the number of trips required for my treatment. Volunteer Cancer Drivers changed that.
My experience with the program was entirely positive. I would strongly recommend this service to anyone facing a cancer diagnosis who needs help getting to their appointments.
To the volunteers and donors: your support has made a meaningful and very positive difference in my life. Thank you, and please keep up the important work.
