PIQUA — Getting to and from medical treatments is one of the greatest concerns cancer patients face during treatment. To ensure patients get to those much-needed treatments, the American Cancer Society provides free rides through its Road To Recovery program.

The society needs volunteer drivers in Shelby County, so that all patients have transportation when they need it.

“One cancer patient requiring radiation therapy could need anywhere from 20 to 30 trips to treatment in six weeks,” said Marybeth Torsell, program manager of the American Cancer Society. “A patient receiving chemotherapy might report for treatment weekly for up to a year. In many cases, a patient is driven to hospitals or clinics by relatives or friends, but even these patients must occasionally seek alternative transportation. That’s where the Road To Recovery program comes in. The program not only helps patients, but is also rewarding for the volunteer. Several of our drivers have volunteered for a number of years.”

A training for new drivers will be April 6 at the YWCA, 418 N. Wayne St., Piqua, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. To be a volunteer driver, an interested person must have a reliable vehicle, a valid drivers liscense, proof of auto insurance and a good driving record.

For information or to volunteer, call 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. To register for the training, call 888-227-6446, ext. 5101, or email [email protected].