Port Townsend woman matches Peninsula cancer patients with volunteer drivers

PORT TOWNSEND — One of the scariest things that can happen, Nina Pascoe knows, is a cancer diagnosis.

And while Pascoe doesn’t work in a cancer clinic or hospital, she seeks to give some comfort to people in the midst of treatment.

Pascoe is the North Olympic Peninsula coordinator of Road to Recovery, the American Cancer Society program that matches patients with the volunteers who drive them to Olympic Medical Cancer Center in Sequim, to the Seattle ferries and even to Seattle itself.

Road to Recovery is 29 years old this year, said Jerri Wood, its coordinator.

From her American Cancer Society office in Everett, Wood matches approximately 50 drivers with patients from Skagit, Snohomish, Island, Whatcom, Clallam and Jefferson counties.

But only about a dozen volunteers, she said, provide rides on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Wood’s office conducts background checks of volunteers, and Pascoe helps connect patients with drivers.

“We’re looking for more,” Pascoe said, meaning more volunteers and more patients in Jefferson and

Clallam counties.

Volunteers can give as little as one morning or afternoon a month.

They can take patients across town, if for example they live in Sequim and need rides to the cancer center on Fifth Avenue.

Volunteers might also give a patient a ride there from Port Townsend, or to the ferry landing or all the way to Seattle for their chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

It’s up to each driver, Pascoe said.

Some don’t want to go to Seattle, but can provide a ride to the ferry, and then another Road to Recovery volunteer can pick up the patient on the other side of the water.

“If the person doesn’t have a partner, or a friend who can drive, they really need help” getting to treatments, Pascoe said.

Training is provided on how to talk with cancer patients in a professional and caring way, she added.

“It is an amazing thing,” said Wood, “to meet these usually elderly patients that are going through this alone.”

The first step toward becoming a Road to Recovery volunteer is phoning Wood at 800-729.5588, option 3, or emailing jerri.wood@cancer.org.

The cancer society has the would-be volunteer’s driving record and any criminal history checked, Pascoe said.

Volunteers don’t receive compensation for their fuel costs.

Which is why Road to Recovery needs a longer list of volunteers, added Wood.

“If everyone on the list gave a ride a month, everyone in their community would be taken care of,” she said, “and the cost would be shared.”

________

Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in Life

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Speaker set at Unity in Port Townsend for weekend service

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “Pentecost: Spirit of… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Spreading their wings and the word

Our son Gavin recently received a mission call and assignment to serve… Continue reading

The Rev. Bill Evans.
Unity in Olympics speaker scheduled for Sunday service

The Rev. William Evans will present “The Secret Science… Continue reading

Michael.Lowe.
Lowe slated as OUUF speaker

Michael Lowe will present “The Sequim Pride Celebration: Past,… Continue reading

A GROWING CONCERN: Don’t let those pests rest

AS SPRING SLOWLY gives way to the approaching summer season (today is… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Choosing to be Jewish

DURING THE RECENT Jewish holy day of Shavuot, we reflected on the… Continue reading

Doug Benecke will be joined by Sallie Harrison for special music at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Program set for weekend service

Doug Benecke will be joined by his wife, Sallie… Continue reading

Shantala, featuring Benjy and Heather Wertheimer, will perform a kirtan concert in Port Townsend on Sunday evening.
Sacred chanting scheduled in Port Townsend

Shantala will lead a kirtan concert at 7 p.m.… Continue reading

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Unity in Port Townsend planning for Sunday services

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “Pentecost: Spirit of… Continue reading

guest speaker, Rev. Julia McKenna-Blessing-Nuffer
Sunday program set for OUUF

Rev. Julia McKenna-Blessing-Nuffer wull present “Honoring Dads and Those… Continue reading

The Rev Craig Vocelka will present “Listening for the Whisper” at 10:00 am this Sunday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1020 Jefferson Street.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church plans service

The Rev. Craig Vocelka will present “Listening for the… Continue reading