The “Cancer Car” is a ten passenger Mercedes Van that transports cancer patient to the Cancer Lodge, in Kelowna five days a week. There are many cars and vans running the service throughout the province, three of them in the Okanagan Valley. Patients are picked up at a central location in each town, in Oliver the pick up is at Super Valu, and at various locations on the way to Kelowna.
Many patients have between twenty to forty five daily treatments, and can either stay at the Cancer Lodge for the duration or go back and forth daily. Not only does the van take the pressure of getting there away, it also works as a “group therapy” service. The patients who have been going for treatment, for several weeks, are able to advise new patients on what to expect and how the treatment has affected them. This information takes some of the fear of the process away from new patients.

The service is ran by the Freemasons of British Columbia and is free to anyone who needs it. The drivers are all volunteers mainly, but not necessarily, Masons, and takes anyone to and from their appointments in Kelowna. The rides are arranged on the patient’s initial visit to the Cancer Lodge, not through individual members of the masonic lodge.

There is no charge for the service as the masons themselves donate money and time to keep this service going. However, donations are always welcome, as the cars need constant maintenance  and fuel. To assist in this project, the members of the Order of the Eastern Star will be having a hamburger and hot dog sale, at Super Valu on Friday, 25th April, from 10.00am till 2.00pm. Some of the Cancer car drivers will be flipping burgers and frying onions, so come along for lunch and support this very worthy cause.

Cancer is a dreadful disease and this service helps, in some small way, to alleviate the problems that come with it.

Contributed by Pat Whalley