MATAWAN – The soaring price of fuel is not only increasing the costs of necessary commodities, but also keeping some cancer patients from their chemotherapy treatments.
But not in Matawan.
The Borough Council unanimously passed a resolution at the May 19 council meeting supporting the Matawan Cancer Patient Transportation Assistance Program, a new program that facilitates transportation to chemotherapy treatments for cancer patients.
“They asked me if I wanted to be the liaison to the council and I immediately jumped at the opportunity,” said former Borough Councilwoman Donna Gould. “I had breast cancer four times and it was a horror show, but I came through it.”
Gould explained that the American Cancer Society approached Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-13th District) and sought out her help with transporting patients to and from their scheduled chemotherapy sessions.
“I got involved when representatives from the American Cancer Society came to see me and made me aware that they have lost a significant amount of volunteers who drive cancer patients to their physicians because of the economic crisis and fuel prices,” Handlin said. “Right away I started contacting people, and Matawan has been fabulous because they acted so quickly.”
The way the program works is simple. Volunteers donate their time and services to drive cancer patients, who are also Matawan residents, to their scheduled chemotherapy treatments.
“I plan on speaking with all of the mayors in my legislative district and educating them, as I was, and ask if their towns would do something similar to what Matawan has done,” Handlin explained. “Matawan is an inspiring example.”
The simplicity of the program encourages Gould.
“We are not looking for big donations, just individuals with some free time who are willing to donate the time to transport someone to and from their chemo session,” Gould said.
According to Gould, the program is still in the planning stages, but a major step was winning the approval and support of the Borough Council for the independent citizens group.
“I am so proud to be a part of this for Matawan, and I am so proud that the mayor and council got behind this so quickly,” she said.
The program is at no cost to the town or the cancer patients being transported, and all the work involved is voluntary.
But Gould doesn’t mind the added work.
“I know the importance of getting to the chemo treatments,” Gould said. “One time I was scheduled to go and my daughter could not take me and I completely freaked out. Thankfully, a friend was able to take me, but these treatments are a cancer patient’s lifeline.”
Gould said that her daughter is getting involved as well.
“My daughter said she would be a volunteer driver and really, this is something that is so simple to do for someone else,” she said. “Even if families have a teenage driver who would be willing to drive someone, that would be great. What does it take to do this for someone else?”
Handlin agreed.
“At this time, all of us are feeling economically vulnerable,” she said. “But those of us who have our health can never forget it is the most important blessing and we have to do our best for our fellow citizens.”
Individuals wishing to volunteer with the Matawan Cancer Patient Transportation Assistance Program can contact Donna Gould at 732- 441-1519 or [email protected].