AFTER announcing its “100 drivers in 100 days” recruitment campaign in late March, the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society on Wednesday announced it had attracted enough new driver candidates to push them over the goal line.

“We’re still processing applications, but as of July 4, day 100, we have 38 new drivers now in operation serving cancer patients, another 23 who are finishing training and will soon be ready to start, and 48 applicants who will hopefully be ready to join us shortly,” said Bob Smith, President of VCDS.

“That’s potentially 109 new drivers, but we’re not stopping there. Finding new drivers has been an ongoing undertaking since the day we started. We’re constantly looking for more drivers, especially in the City of Vancouver, to meet the growing need for patient rides.”

VCDS forecasts it will receive over 29,000 ride requests this year. Having enough drivers to meet that number prompted the society to set the lofty goal this spring of attracting 100 new drivers in just a matter of weeks.­­

At the start of the campaign, VCDS had about 370 member drivers who use their own vehicles and volunteer whatever time they can spare. Many cancer patients can’t get to their appointments on their own due to any number of factors including age, medical condition, having no family members nearby or an inability to drive themselves.

“We continue to welcome all drivers interested, but we especially need drivers in the City of Vancouver,” Smith said. “Only a fifth of our drivers live there, but the larger clinics in Vancouver like the Vancouver Cancer outpatient centre and nearby VGH Blackmore Pavilion account for almost half the rides VCDS provides. All the patients we serve appreciate the personal attention they get, and most of our drivers will tell you they get as much out of the experience as the people they’re driving.  It’s truly rewarding.”

Anyone wishing to become a volunteer driver can find more information at volunteercancerdrivers.ca.