FARMINGTON – Lack of transportation to treatment appointments can be a major problem for cancer patients. Many need daily or weekly treatment, often over the course of several months, and they may not have a car or be able to drive themselves.

In the rural counties of Franklin and Somerset, the problem is exacerbated by the long distances between available treatment centers. The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program provides free transportation for cancer patients to and from their life-saving appointments – exclusively by way of volunteer drivers who donate their time and the use of their personal vehicles in order to help others.

Franklin and Somerset counties comprise more than 16 percent of the state’s total size, yet together they account for only 6 percent of its population. Both share northern borders with the province of Quebec. In the south they border Kennebec County, close to the cities of Augusta and Waterville.

Farmington and Skowhegan, home to Franklin Memorial and Redington-Fairview hospitals, both offer chemotherapy treatment to those who need it.

But if cancer patients from Franklin or Somerset counties require radiation therapy, they must travel to Bangor, Waterville or beyond.

The answer for many people is the Road to Recovery program. Road to Recovery is the essence of the American Cancer Society mission – people helping people during their cancer journey.

Joe Mando, community executive for cancer control at the society, said many patients have no transportation, are too weak to drive and may not have relatives or friends who are able to drive them to their treatments.

“Through the program, volunteer drivers donate both their time and the use of their personal vehicles to drive cancer patients,” he said. “Road to Recovery volunteers provide an essential service – even the greatest medical advance is useless if patients are not able to get to their treatments.”

Eva Decker is an example. She lives in Salem, about nine miles west of Kingfield. A breast cancer survivor, Decker was diagnosed with colon cancer in the summer of 2006.

By September when it was time for her radiation therapy, Decker was feeling a lot of fatigue. “The radiation hit me really hard this time,” she said. “I was too tired to drive myself the 50 miles to Maine General in Waterville. My son lives nearby but he’s a teacher, so he couldn’t take me. My husband has MS, and he was not able to drive me, either.”

Bob White of Cornville, north of Skowhegan, lost his wife of 53 years in 2005 to pancreatic cancer. In August of 2006 he responded to an American Cancer Society ad asking for volunteer drivers in his local newspaper.

Soon afterward he received a call from the Road to Recovery coordinator about Eva Decker. “I was called to drive to Salem one day a week. I didn’t even know where Salem was until I looked on the map.”

White drove Decker once a week to and from her radiation treatments at Maine General. “We got to know each other pretty well on those afternoons. She and I really have a lot in common.” The experience was rewarding for White. “I was glad to help someone out, but it’s not 100 percent altruism: I need to do it. Helping someone is very enriching and it gets me out of the house. It is helpful for me to help someone else. “

The American Cancer Society is recruiting volunteers in Franklin and Somerset counties to ensure that all cancer patients have transportation to their treatments. Those who have a car and some spare time can volunteer. For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345.

Call 800-ACS-2345, 24 hours a day, any day of the year for cancer information, connections to services for cancer patients or to talk with a caring person for strength and encouragement.