Drivers sought for cancer patients

Dear sir - The Irish Cancer Society is seeking trustworthy, reliable volunteers in Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin, Oldcastle, Slane, Kells, Navan, Trim, Ashbourne and Ratoath who have free weekday time to provide cancer patients with safe, comfortable and confidential transport to and from Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, travelling for treatment can become an additional stress and difficulty. In response to this, the Irish Cancer Society developed Care to Drive in 2008 and we are in our second year of the national roll-out. If you're a driver in the Meath area, with just two days a month to spare, you can help ease the strain of travel on cancer patients by volunteering to drive them to and from their hospital appointments. Information sessions will be held for all of those interested in taking part at 11:30am and 1.15pm in the following venues: 16th April - Headfort Arms, Kells; 17th April- Marriott Hotel, Ashbourne; 18th April - Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim; 19th April - Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth. Being the Tesco Ireland's Staff Charity of the Year for 2010 and 2011 has allowed the Irish Cancer Society to dedicate the funds raised to rolling out this much-needed service on a national basis. In 2011, 147 national volunteer drivers drove 98,355km to bring 166 patients to and from 1,378 hospital appointments. Those who think they can help and are interested in attending a session can contact Gail at 'Care to Drive' at the Irish Cancer Society on (01) 231 05 66, email transport@irishcancer.ie or see www.cancer.ie Yours, Aishling Deegan, Communications Officer, Irish Cancer Society.