Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society (VCDS)

The  Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society (VCDS) is singularly focused on providing free, safe, reliable, compassionate transportation and peace of mind for Lower Mainland cancer patients who have no viable means of getting to their essential treatment.

Hundreds of BC Lower Mainland cancer patients do not have the financial resources or a reliable family/friend support network to attend all their treatment appointments. For patients in 18 Lower Mainland communities, the VCDS is the only viable option.  

The need for this service is high—and continues to grow.  One in every two Canadians are expected to be  diagnosed with some form of life-threatening cancer in their lifetime.  Patients who miss radiation therapy are stressed and have an increased risk of their disease returning.   Out of pocket transportation for treatment and related expenses is a significant burden for cancer patients.  Public transit is stressful, impractical, frequently unavailable and for most patients seldom a viable option.

For patients in 18 Lower Mainland communities, the VCDS is the only viable option.  Our drivers, using their own vehicles, transport patients from their homes to their care facility, wait during patient treatment (often up to 4 hours or more) and provide the return trip home.  During one of the most challenging periods in a person’s life we ease the physical, emotional and financial burden for cancer patients and their families and ensure patients can attend all their treatments. Having assured transportation with an empathetic and caring driver during debilitating treatment is a major comfort to patients while coping with this life-threatening disease.

As a community funded service our volunteers raise all funds required to assist drivers with vehicle expenses.  We are entirely reliant on volunteer efforts to generate donations and grants from patients and the public, municipalities, corporations, first responders, foundations, service clubs and associations and importantly from our own charitable drivers.  We do not receive financial assistance from the Canadian Cancer Society, the BC Cancer Agency or the provincial government.