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Volunteer Drivers in High Demand for American Cancer Society

Posted at 5:51 PM, Apr 10, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-10 23:19:08-04

KENT AND OTTAWA Co., (April 10, 2014) — There’s a high demand for good drivers to volunteer their time in Kent and Ottawa Counties.

The organization’s Road to Recovery Program makes sure cancer patients have a way to get to their appointments, and it’s free-of-charge.

After retiring from local government, Bill Cousins said he needed to find a way to stay busy and spend his time. So he signed up as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society to drive cancer patients to their appointments. It’s a good fit for him because cancer hits close to home.

“My father died of cancer. My uncle died of cancer. My mother had a lot of illnesses in her life and needed help. Working for the American Cancer Society would help me continue my volunteerism,” Cousins explained.

For the past year, Cousins has helped patients who otherwise wouldn’t have a ride.

“I’ve met some really neat people. Some people are really going through some hard times. I thank god everyday that I’m able to do what I do because a lot of these people are even younger than me, and their lives are just a mess with the cancer,” Cousins said.

He’s paying it forward one potentially life-saving ride at a time.

“I’ve driven people who, because I’m driving them or other volunteers are driving them, their families been able to still work, and not have to take vacation, or sick leave, or even quit a job to take care of their mother or their spouse,” Cousins explained.

To those with free time who may want to help, Cousins said, “If you have even a half a day a week, to me it’s been really worth it. Some times feel bad that I’m volunteering because I’m getting as much out of it as they are.”

If you think you’d like to become a volunteer driver. Just give the American Cancer Society a call at 1-800-227-2345.

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