Group looking for more volunteers to drive cancer patients to appointments

As more cancer patients across B.C. struggle to get to their appointments, the need for volunteer drivers is growing.

Bob Smith, president of the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, says the group is actively recruiting to meet growing demand and is looking for around 160 additional volunteers over the course of 2025.

“At the moment, the organization has 450 drivers and other volunteers, dispatchers, for example, administrative support volunteers, in our ranks,” he told 1130 NewsRadio.

“We need a lot of volunteers because we pick up the patient, we drive them to their treatment, and we wait for them, and then we drive them home. So we need to be able to have volunteers who can drive when they’re available and when the patient actually needs them.”

He says many of their drivers are retired, so there is turnover every year.

The society says it provided more than 38,000 rides in 2024 and expects that number to jump to around 42,000 this year. It helps patients throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, all the way to Chilliwack.

Last year, the group travelled more than a million kilometres.

“[It] s surprising, amazing to us, and is an indication of the depth of compassion of the volunteers who make their time available to assist cancer patients in need,” Smith said.

“Obviously we will be more than a million kilometres next year, and to be able to do that, our organization raises all of its operations money through grants and charitable gifts.”

He says they are looking to raise over $700,000 this year to sustain the operation. About 95 per cent of that money will go toward small allowances provided to drivers to cover their car expenses, calculated based on the distance they drive.

Smith says the work is incredibly rewarding.

“When you do join and you have that opportunity to drive a cancer patient and help them at such a difficult time in their lives, you derive a terrific sense of satisfaction,” he said.

“We need drivers, cancer patients need drivers,” he said. “Complete an application form and come and join us. We will immediately be in touch with you and work you into the system.”

He says they are also recruiting volunteers who can help with administration.

Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up at the group’s website at volunteercancerdrivers.ca or by calling them at 604-515-5400.

With files from Michael Williams.