American Cancer Society wants volunteers to offer rides to men needing cancer treatments

(decorahnews.com in April posted a story about the Winneshiek County Celebration of Life's program to give $200 gas cards to help women travel out of Winneshiek County to receive cancer treatments.

That prompted this reader e-mail: "While "Fuel for the Fight" is a very worthwhile project, it seems it is strictly to benefit women.  There are men in this county who could benefit for such funds as they fight battles with cancer also."

The e-mail writer is correct that WCCOL offers the help only to women.  It has already spent all the funds it had previously allocated for the entire year of 2014 for the program.  (WCCOL will be adding more funds to continue the program the rest of this year).

But the Winneshiek County Chapter of the American Cancer Society says if there is demand, it will restart its "Road To Recovery" program in Winneshiek County.  The program does NOT hand out gas cards, but it DOES provide cancer patients transportation to and from their medical treatments--for free

Trained volunteer drivers donate their time and the use of their vehicle so that patients can receive the lifesaving treatments they need.  Patients in need of a ride do not need a physician's referral, but advance notice is required.  The generosity of the drivers helps ensure that cancer patients get the lifesaving treatment they need.  Transportation is provided according to the needs and available resources in the community.

Says the American Cancer Society, "Interested volunteers can call us at 1-800-227-2345 to findout more about his important program and how they can get involved.  By giving a little of your time, you can helpsave lives while fulfilling your own."