The demand for the Transport to Treatment program in the Peel region has increased by 35 per cent in the past year, prompting a local organisation to lend a helping hand.
The Rotary Club of Mandurah has donated $2000 to Cancer Council WA to assist with petrol costs.
The Transport to Treatment program is a dedicated transport service, providing free transport for cancer patients in the Peel and Rockingham region undergoing radiotherapy at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
Volunteers who drive the program made almost 800 trips during 2018/19 financial year from Dot's Place in Mandurah to Fiona Stanley Hospital.
This number is up from 588 round trips in 2017/18 - a rise of 35 per cent.
In addition, the service transported 122 clients last year, compared to 101 in the year before.
Peel cancer support coordinator Elaine Young said Cancer Council WA was incredibly grateful to the Mandurah Rotary Club for the grant and hoped to increase services to meet demand.
"We would like to sincerely thank the Rotary Club of Mandurah for their generous contribution towards supporting Cancer Council WA's Peel Transport to Treatment program," she said.
"Driving long distances in heavy traffic can cause unnecessary stress and discomfort. Our dedicated transport service allows cancer patients to relax before and after treatment so they can focus on getting better.
"Our service also takes the burden off friends and family who often have to help out when patients are too sick to drive themselves.
"This grant ensures Cancer Council WA are able to continue to meet the increasing demand and provide safe, convenient and comfortable transport for patients undergoing radiotherapy at Fiona Stanley Hospital."
Read more:
Ms Young said the service was driven entirely by passionate volunteers who live in the Mandurah and Rockingham areas.
"We are eternally gratefully to our wonderful volunteers who are keen to help out members of their community," she said.
"They pick up patients from Dot's Place at 9am and then Rockingham at 9.45am, returning back via Rockingham and arriving at Dots Place by midday.
"Transport to Treatment is made possible through the generosity of our volunteers and the support of organisations such as the Rotary Club of Mandurah, and for that, Cancer Council WA is very thankful."
To find out more about what services and programs are available at the Peel Cancer Support Centre in Greenfields, please visit the Dot's Place website.
