(File photo courtesy of © CanStockPhoto.com/Maximkostenko)(File photo courtesy of © CanStockPhoto.com/Maximkostenko)
Chatham

Officials Clarify Policy Changes With Wheels Of Hope Program

Some cancer patients may have to find other means of transportation in order to get to non-urgent appointments.

Geoff Van Geem, manager of the Bluewater Community office with the Canadian Cancer Society, says some policy changes have recently come into effect.

Concerns regarding the changes have been posted to social media and have been sent via email to BlackburnNewsCK.com.

"The demand for the Wheels of Hope program had increased, in that our ability to provide trips for clients was becoming more difficult," says Van Geem. "We had to make a decision to prioritize clients who are going through active treatment."

He says the driving force behind these policy changes stem from an increase in ridership demand and a lack of drivers.

"There is a shortage of drivers. It's not just specific to the Chatham-Kent office, it is across the province," he says. "There are places in Ontario where it is becoming more and more difficult to get our clients to treatment, simply because of the number of clients that we have and the volunteer drivers that are available."

He adds although priority has been given to those going through active treatment (chemo or radiation), there is a policy in place that still allows people to attend consultations or follow-up appointments.

"[The Wheels of Hope program] is highly ranked on our support services for the Canadian Cancer Society," he says. "Last year the local Chatham-Kent community office spent in excess of $100,000 to run this program to transport cancer patients."

Van Geem adds there are about 206 cancer patients in the municipality, where over 3,000 rides were provided to cancer-related appointments in 2016.

For those looking to become a volunteer driver, applications can be found by clicking here.

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