Graciela Lara Valverde of Delray Beach has breast cancer and started using Road to Recovery in May 2024 when treatment left her feeling too weak to drive. ’It makes everything easier for me,’ she says of having a driver. Photo provided
By Hannah Spence
Every 15 seconds on average, somebody discovers he or she has cancer. Imagine struggling to find a way to get to lifesaving treatment on top of receiving the diagnosis. Fortunately, there is Road to Recovery, a program that provides free transportation for cancer patients to and from their medical appointments.
Launched in 1981, Road to Recovery was recently highlighted at Fork Cancer — a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society — which celebrated its fourth year at West Palm Beach’s Norton Museum of Art. The event raised almost $101,000.
Operating costs associated with the ride program, such as background checks and coordination with volunteer drivers, are covered by ACS and its donors.
“I think Road to Recovery is an amazing program,” said Jonathan Duerr, Fork Cancer event chair, who lost his father to pancreatic cancer. Whereas his family was able to take turns getting his father to appointments, “not everybody is that fortunate. That’s why it’s important to continue to help in the fight,” he said.
According to Duerr, the event saw a 25% increase in funds raised from last year and driver Tim Sharp of Delray Beach was recognized for providing more than 60 rides in six months.
Road to Recovery has more than 5,000 drivers nationwide and has seen exceptional success in Palm Beach County, where almost half of ride requests are granted. All drivers are trained volunteers.
One of them is 82-year-old Joe Ludwig, who lives in Boca Raton part of the year.
“I know I’m doing something meaningful and helping people out,” said Ludwig, a three-time cancer survivor himself.
Road to Recovery offers flexibility, allowing volunteers to schedule their availability. They also have the option of just taking a patient one way or both to and from the appointment.
Drivers and patients communicate through a website called Roundtrip. Patients say when they need to be picked up and drivers receive alerts when rides are in their designated areas. Once drivers accept the rides, they typically receive information about patients, such as phone numbers and if special assistance is needed.
Ludwig said he tries to contribute at least a few hours a week and prefers to drive the same patients multiple times, so he can develop strong relationships with them.
Ludwig has bonded with Gay Snider of Boynton Beach. In addition to cancer-related issues, she has Parkinson’s disease and uses a walker.
Snider, 81, said her son used to drive her to health appointments, but it became difficult for him to do so after having major surgery. She turned to Road to Recovery five years ago and has no regrets.
“They’ve been wonderful,” said Snider. “I’m trapped here and it’s very depressing and very difficult. But the positive interactions I’ve had with these volunteers have made a tremendous impact in my life.”
Snider illustrated ways certain drivers go out of their way to show her kindness, such as Ludwig’s checking in on her and committing to drive her on dates that are far off.
Cancer treatments can leave some patients too debilitated to drive, even if they do have cars, like Graciela Lara Valverde, who has breast cancer and started using the service in May 2024.
“I was very weak and had low blood pressure,” said the 70-year-old Delray Beach resident, who was concerned she could faint behind the wheel. “I thought not only am I going to kill myself, I’m going to kill someone else.
“It makes everything easier for me,” said Lara Valverde, adding that the service saves her at least $30 each way on a rideshare service. “I wasn’t so stressed out thinking, ‘OK, how am I going to get to the doctors.’ And the drivers sometimes get personal … it puts me at ease.”
Snider agrees.
“It’s good to talk to someone who gets it,” she said. “If I get better and I could drive, I would become a driver because I see what a difference it makes in your life.”
For rides or to volunteer, call 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org/drive.
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