Letter: Drivers needed to help cancer patients

I am a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery program. The program relies on volunteer drivers to take cancer patients to and from their treatments. Lack of transportation is often a major problem for cancer patients when either they have no transportation or are too ill to drive. Family and friends may help, but are not always available.

After being a driver for the Road to Recovery program for 15 years, I've found that I receive much more from the patients and program than the time and transportation that I provide. I have been truly blessed by God in my life and see the opportunity to volunteer in this way as a way to share my gratitude with others. The American Cancer Society is looking for more volunteer drivers to help cancer patients in the Cedar Rapids/Marion areas. Time commitments vary, but drives are generally during the weekday and each driver decides how much time he or she contributes. The flexibility to choose when and the distance you're willing to drive, are what attracted me to the program.

Requirements for participation include a valid, current driver's license, a safe driving record, proof of insurance and completing an application as well as attending a brief training session. For more information on volunteering as a Road to Recovery driver, contact the American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org/drive.

Frank Satariano

Cedar Rapids