Cancer Connect
A free, flexible transport service to Cork Hospitals for people receiving cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
overview
Cancer Connect is a community service, established in 2011, managed by
a voluntary Board of Directors. The accounts have been audited since
commencement, and the service is listed on the Public Register of
Charities. There are 3 part time staff associated with the project. It is a
unique transport service increasing access to cancer treatment, and
alleviating the stresses and trauma involved, and reducing barriers to
obtaining treatment. Transport is delivered by a team of voluntary drivers
based around the County, there are 350 active Voluntary Drivers on the
panel currently. Drivers either use their own car, or one of the 6 Cancer
Connect owned vehicles to collect passengers. This is a door-to-door
service, bringing Passengers to their appointment and home again.
Passengers are brought to radiotherapy treatments on a scheduled
timetable developed with the relevant hospitals, and to chemotherapy and
cancer related appointments on the passengers' own schedule. The
service was initially conceived in response to local demand and grew at
unprecedented speed. To date, over 43,000 journeys have been
completed. Cancer Connect works closely with medical services county
wide, and local palliative and cancer support services. This service is
streamlined to work for people dealing with cancer and provides bespoke
transport for each individual.
where your money goes
All funds raised through iDonate go directly towards co ordination of the service. There are 6 vehicles currently owned by Cancer Connect that bring passengers for radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments. Drivers that use their own vehicles are given a contribution towards fuel costs. There are 3 part time staff working on Cancer Connect, all with responsibility of delivering a transport service for the entire Cork County community.
history
Cancer Connect
began in April 2011, a transport service initially delivered by Local Link
Cork. Local demand in West Cork indicated the need for transport to cancer
treatments in Cork Hospitals.
Consultation with CUH, MUH and South Infirmary confirmed the great need
of bespoke transport for cancer patients; Local Link Cork purchased an 8-seater
and the community gathered a team of volunteers to drive the vehicle to CUH for
radiotherapy treatment. Cancer Connect
was born; and began operating as a CLG in 2021.
It soon became
apparent that the passengers attending radiotherapy treatment needed additional
transport to meet Consultants, attend chemotherapy, have scans, procedures
etc. Further Volunteers joined the panel
and used their own cars.
Demand for the
service grew quickly and substantially and a second radiotherapy route was
established along the Castletownbere/Bantry line in October of the same
year. By 2016 the service was expanded
to cover North Cork. By the end of 2020,
Cancer Connect was available throughout East Cork, becoming County wide cancer
transport service.
The allocated
staff of one member grew to two, then three in 2022. A Staff contingent of 3 allowed the company
to allocate two staff to day-to-day bookings and passenger support, and the
third to focus on fundraising, marketing, and management of the service.
Volunteers are
the backbone of the transport service; there are 339 registered Drivers on the
panel. From the Board of Management to
the community members and organisations that fundraise and promote Cancer
Connect, to the daily drives to and from Cork by the kind, reliable and
outstanding team of drivers. Each member
has played a role in ensuring the efficient transport service is continuous, local,
free and reliable.
By December 2022
over 43,500 passenger journeys have been recorded.
Unit 28B,
+353 (0) 93 52467
