A volunteer transport service that has been transporting cancer patients to chemotherapy appointments in Irish hospitals has been extended to Beaumont.
The service from the Irish Cancer Society takes patients to and from their hospital visits, removing the stress and worry of having to rely on family and friends.
Patients from Dublin, Meath and Kildare will be able to access the service immediately with plans to roll it out to patients in Louth, Cavan and Monaghan in coming weeks.
In Dublin alone, volunteer drivers have clocked up a distance of over half a million kilometres bringing 1,176 patients to appointments.
Mary McAndrew is a multiple Myeloma patient and has been using the service to take her to treatments in Tallaght Hospital since 2016.
She said: "Knowing you have your transport to chemotherapy sorted is like having a weight lifted off your shoulders.
"I have a wonderful family and lots of friends, but all of them have their own lives to lead so it’s fantastic that I can get that practical support elsewhere. The volunteer drivers provide so much more than a drive.
"They are like my security blanket. They give emotional support and they know when you need a chat, and more importantly when you don’t. I can’t recommend this service enough."
Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: “This service was created when we heard of the added stress organising transport to and from appointments was having on patients and their families.
"Being able to take that burden off someone during one of the hardest times of their lives is hugely important for us at the Irish Cancer Society and wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers.
"I am delighted to be launching the service here in Beaumont Hospital which now makes the Volunteer Driver Service accessible in every public hospital in Ireland that provides chemotherapy.”
Pauline Ackermann, Head of Clinical Services at Beaumont Hospital added: “We have been offering this service in the hospital since June and we have seen it go from strength to strength.
"We aim to deliver the highest quality of care to our patients and this service will ensure chemotherapy patients feel supported on a practical level throughout their treatment.
"It has been embraced by hospital staff at all levels and we look forward to a positive and productive relationship with the Irish Cancer Society in developing this service.”
