American Cancer Society Hosts Patient/Driver Reunion

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 3,500 rides have been given to cancer patients throughout Lower Fairfield and Southern Litchfield Counties during this past year through the Road to Recovery program. This program offers cancer patients in need rides to and from life-saving treatments.

Gerry Jove, the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Coordinator for the Greater Danbury area, recently organized the 1st annual Patient/Driver Reunion. The reunion enabled the American Cancer Society to thank the drivers for their continued dedication and commitment to the cause, and also provided an opportunity for the patient and the driver to reconnect long after the patients’ treatment was over.

Sherrie Miller, a volunteer driver and resident of Newtown, attended the recent reunion breakfast. Ms Miller has been driving for nearly three years. “It’s a great feeling to know that you are making a difference in someone else’s life,” she said. “I actually started with the Road to Recovery program in order to fulfill volunteer hours for a college program. After graduating, I couldn’t walk away from the rewarding feeling the experience gave me.”

“A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and quite frightening.” explained Michelle Wolf, director of Patient Services. “Many patients might have to endure rigorous chemotherapy or radiation treatments every single day for as many as or more than six weeks. It can be difficult to find friends or family members who are able to take this kind of time away from work. Our Road to Recovery program helps to alleviate at least one of the many concerns cancer patients have.”

Gerry Jove, herself a cancer survivor, hopes to increase awareness about the Road to Recovery program, saying, “No one should feel as though they are facing cancer alone.”

For more information about this and other patient services or educational programs available to cancer patients and their families, call the American Cancer Society at 203/563-0740. For 24-hour service call the toll-free line at 800/ACS-2345.