Recovering cancer patient Arnie Polischuk (left) stands with Osoyoos United Church Dorcas Ladies member Joan Green (left) and president Joan Shirriff in donating $2,000 to Erwin Weiler, coordinator of drivers for the Cancer Car program. The program has been offering free rides to cancer patients in Osoyoos and Oliver for more than 15 years. Lyonel Doherty photo
When you are originally diagnosed with cancer, there is an endless list of things to worry about.
If you live in Osoyoos or Oliver, near the top of that list is worrying about how you’re going to travel back and forth for radiation, chemotherapy or other treatment in Kelowna at the BC Cancer Society’s Sindi Ahlusalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior.
Thanks to a relatively unknown program that has been operating across the Okanagan Valley for the past 16 years, cancer patients don’t have to worry about transportation to and from Kelowna.
The Freemasons’ program began in Vancouver in 1989, a year after the Masonic Community Charities Fund was established. Transportation services were added to serve Northern Vancouver Island in 1991 and a further expansion was made into the Okanagan Valley in 1998.
There is currently a fleet of 17 vehicles that help provide 35,000 patient trips for more than 2,800 cancer patients covering more than 700,000 kilometres annually in British Columbia.
Dick Auty, the man who has acted as program coordinator for the Freemasons’ Cancer Car program, said it was conceived 25 years ago.
The leadership with the Freemasons envisioned a plan with four goals, including furthering the practice of charity, to make Freemasons more knowledgeable about Freemasonry, increase pride in the organization and increase public awareness about the organization, said Auty.
The Freemason program began a partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society in British Columbia and Yukon in 1989 that was originally scheduled to operate for 15 years, he said.
Because the program was so successful, the agreement was extended in 2009 to operate until this past fall and will continue well into the foreseeable future, said Auty.
The Freemasons purchase and maintain all the vehicles and pay for gasoline and insurance.
All of the rides given to cancer patients are free of charge, but donations are accepted. Those donations can come from clients or regular members of the community.
The program would not have become the success it is without the generous volunteers who give freely of their time to drive patients to and from treatment, said Auty.
Because of logistics, cancer patients in Osoyoos have to find their way to Oliver to be transported to Kelowna.
The bus from Oliver leaves Monday to Friday around 7 a.m. and picks up patients in Okanagan Falls, Penticton, Summerland, Peachland and West Kelowna, and the goal is to get them there before 10 a.m., which is when most scheduled appointments begin, he said.
Because of the volunteer component, the goal is to be back on the road and bringing patients back to the South Okanagan by 3 or 4 p.m., he said.
“There are a lot of things cancer patients have to worry about … and getting to and from their appointments is one worry we try and take away from them,” said Auty. “When you get diagnosed and are told you might have to go to 25 or 30 treatments, it’s a big burden for many patients getting to and from treatment in Kelowna. This program takes away that burden and we know our clients across the Okanagan really appreciate it.”
Erwin Weiler has been a member of the Freemasons for 21 years and has been a volunteer driver for the Cancer Car program since it started in this region in 1998.
He agrees clients are exceptionally grateful for this program.
“It really helps them and that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Most people diagnosed with cancer in this area are looking at 30 or more trips to and from Kelowna and it’s a big relief to them knowing this service will provide them free transportation for every trip.”
While there are many dedicated drivers, the program can certainly use more, he said.
Those who want to apply must provide an up-to-date driver’s abstract, he said. They can get more information by calling 1-800-299-0188.
Longtime Osoyoos resident Arnie Polischuk, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, said he took advantage of the Cancer Car program during recent treatments and can’t say enough good things about it.
“It takes away a lot of the stress worrying about getting to and from appointments,” he said.
The Rotary Club in Kelowna offers a modern lodge for cancer patients next door to the cancer treatment centre, so he would often take the cancer bus and stay a night or two at a very reasonable price at the lodge, instead of travelling back and forth to Osoyoos every day.
Polischuk thinks so highly of the program he is taking training to become a volunteer driver.
Being able to sleep in your own bed, eat at home and not worry about transportation to treatment makes a huge difference for people who are trying to get over the trauma of being diagnosed with cancer and having to start treatment a good distance away, said Polischuk.
Osoyoos resident Sonia Lopez, who has been accessing the cancer bus for treatment in Kelowna for several months, said the program is simply wonderful.
“All of the drivers are so caring, compassionate and kind,” she said. “It is a fantastic program and I’m not sure everybody knows about it.”
Anyone wishing further information can call 1-250-712-1101 or 1-800-299-0188.
Keith Lacey
Special to the Chronicle
