The Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society has once again received support from the City of Delta.
At its Feb. 10 meeting in North Delta, Delta council approved a funding request from the society for $5,000.
Delta has supported the group since its inception in 2016.
The society provides free, reliable transportation for cancer patients to and from treatment throughout most of the Lower Mainland. The society started out with 16 volunteer drivers and seed money from the drivers themselves. It began after the Canadian Cancer Society cancelled its transportation program in late 2015.
“Our projections show that in 2020 we will provide 2,610 trips for cancer patients from all parts of the city, including South Delta, Ladner and North Delta,” said vice president and chief fundraiser George Garrett. “Those trips will involve 80,100 kilometres at an estimated cost of $33,000. We compensate our volunteer drivers for gas at the rate of 48 cents per kilometre. Remarkably about 22 per cent of that comes back to us as donations, making our dedicated volunteer drivers the largest single donor group.”
Garrett said the society also receives support from other municipal governments, including Surrey, Langley City, Langley Township, North Vancouver District, City of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver and City of Port Moody.
“We are grateful for that support,” he added.
Mayor George Harvie said the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society is a tremendous group doing tremendous work.
