Maria shows drive for cancer patient initiative

A NORTHSIDE woman has told how personally rewarding it is to drive cancer patients to and from hospital for treatment.

Clontarf local Maria Mullen (72), a retired Sacred Heart Sister, has volunteered for the Irish Cancer Society’s Care to Drive Programme for over two years.

As part of the initiative Ms Mullen gives up one day a week to drive cancer patients to and from hospital for treatment.

“I’m at a stage in my life where I have free time so I thought why not use it to help others,

? she told Northside People.

“The people I drive are all strangers to me and the programme is designed in a way that you shouldn’t really drive the same person twice so that you don’t develop a relationship or emotional attachment with them.

“It’s not part of our job as drivers to make friends with the patients and I believe that protects everybody.

“I think when you’re tied up to something emotionally, you’re not your best self.

“My job is just to facilitate these people and to take the stress and worry out of getting to and from hospital appointments.

?

Each week Ms Mullen and all other drivers on the programme get an email of what drives are booked in for the following week. From there they can then choose what days and drives they work.

The success of the programme is mainly down to its flexibility. The driver collects the patient from their home, drops them off at their hospital for treatment and returns some hours later when they are ready to return home.

The Irish Cancer Society covers the cost of travel expenses incurred by each driver.

Ms Mullen explained how she will look up an address on Google Maps or carry out a

‘reckie’ (reconnaissance mission) before the day of her drive if she is unsure of an area or an address.

As part of the programme, the Irish Cancer Society provides each driver with training when they first join.

“It’s a really wonderful service,

? Ms Mullen stated.

“I would highly recommend it to anyone who might have a bit of time on their hands.

“And it can only be a positive thing if it takes another bit of worry and weight off shoulders that already have too much weight on them.

“Plus you meet the most wonderful people from all walks of life.

“They show so much courage, they’re cheerful and resilient.

?

She added:

“These people make a difference to my life and how I lead it and they’re truly inspirational. I think of my own battles which are so small in comparison.

?

Ms Mullen said drivers do not speak about the patients’ illness unless the patients bring up the topic themselves.

“We talk about all sorts on the journey to and from hospital and it’s always very pleasant,

? she added.

“Just recently I drove a retired architect who pointed out all the various types of architecture in the city as we drove to the hospital.

“It’s also a great way of getting to know the city and finding places and routes that you wouldn’t ever have known before.

?

The Care to Drive Programme is a vital source of support for patients who may be living on their own with no immediate family support, elderly patients who cannot drive or those who may be receiving aggressive treatment, which prevents them from driving.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the service particularly as the recession has made family members fearful of taking time off to drive their loved one to hospital for treatment.

In 2011, there were 165 clients on the books who required 1,378 drives.

In 2012, the number of patients on the scheme increased to 398.

The Irish Cancer Society needs more volunteers from the Northside to ensure it can continue to deliver the important service.

For further information email the Gail Flinter, co-ordinator of the Care to Drive Programme, on g.flinter@ irishcancer.ie or call 2310566.