The Canadian Cancer Society has made a van available for cancer patients in the Steinbach area needing to head to Winnipeg for treatment.

The Society has a program called Wheels of Hope. Bob Barrow, who has long been shuttling cancer patients to Winnipeg for treatment, learned of the program and brought the idea to the Bethesda Foundation. He says shortly after, the Foundation made a $40,000 donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, which in turn purchased the van for this region.

"Canadian Cancer Society owns the van," explains Keith Unger of the Bethesda Foundation. "With our donation, there was one stipulation, we did want to see that the van was purchased from a local dealer from Steinbach."

Bob Barrow, who lives in Steinbach is a prostate cancer survivor. Knowing the Bethesda Foundation supports health issues in the area, Barrow says when he learned of the Wheels of Hope program, his first stop was to the Foundation.

"Before I knew it, they had purchased a van for us," he says. "So fantastic."

Barrow says they are now looking for drivers. Anyone interested should contact Barrow at 204-392-3596, who will put them in touch with the Canadian Cancer Society for approval. He notes drivers are often retired and need to have a valid license. There is also some special screening because of COVID-19. Barrow says ideally they would like to get a pool of 12 drivers. He notes drivers should anticipate that a round trip into Winnipeg will take about three hours.

For Barrow, being a cancer survivor, he can relate to the patients he transports. He says normally when he picks up someone for the first time, he shares this fact.

"It helps to set them at ease because they know that I know what they are going through," says Barrow. "I meet some great people and they help me, I help them and it's something I love doing."

According to Unger, research shows that cancer patients who travel further distances for treatment are more likely to opt-out of treatment. Therefore, providing easier access is most helpful in encouraging these patients.

"If we can help relieve that burden that they maybe feel that they've created on their friends or family or just the stress of going in and out of Winnipeg, we think it will just help them not have another reason to opt-out of future treatments," adds Unger.