At the June 18 quarterly evening meeting of the 100 Women Who Care, held at the Canadian Tractor Museum’s board room, Barrhead Cancer Clinic’s “Road to Home” program was awarded the $10,000 available.
A brochure handed out at the meeting notes: “The Road to Home program consists of a group of volunteers committed to providing transportation and support for individuals undergoing medical treatment for cancer. Clients must be a resident in the communities of Barrhead, Westlock, Slave Lake, Whitecourt, Sangudo, Fort Assiniboine, Swan Hills, Mayerthorpe, Rich Valley, Albert Beach and Onoway.
“This program is operated and maintained by the staff and physicians of the Barrhead Cancer Clinic, dedicated volunteer drivers and the Barrhead Healthcare Centre Auxiliary.”
In their presentation to the 100 Women Who Care group present that evening, they explained there are cancer patients who, for one reason or another, need transportation to either the Barrhead Cancer Clinic or Cross Cancer in Edmonton.
Through the program, free transportation is provided to and from medical appointments as required, for the treatment of their cancer by volunteer drivers. Clients are picked up, driven to their appointment, and returned home. Drivers will wait during the appointment.
Drivers are paid government rate for their mileage from their home base and return. If a meal is required while waiting for clients, drivers will be reimbursed.
Those wishing to become a volunteer driver can contact Barrhead Cancer Clinic Road To Home trip co-ordinator Violet Schriever at (780) 282-0152.
While the $10,000 donation will certainly help the program, the need will be ongoing, and if anyone wishes to donate to the Road To Home cause, donations can be mailed to Barrhead Healthcare Centre Auxiliary, 4815-54 Ave., Barrhead, AB, T7N 1M1.
As usual, there were three presentations by non-profit groups, and all for worthy causes, giving the 100 Women Who Care ladies some tough decisions to make as to which program they endorse. The other two presentations were from the Eleanor Hall School Enhancement Society (Clyde) looking for funding towards the building of an outdoor classroom facility, that would also be used in the winter time for a warm place for those using the skating rink in season. The estimated cost for the outdoor classroom building would be somewhere in the neighbourhood of $30,000 to $40,000.
The other presentation was from the Town of Westlock Doctor Attraction Committee. The goal there is to bring prospective medical students out to Westlock, show them around what the town has to offer not just in medical facilities, but education, recreation and country living.
An earlier one was held last winter, bringing out a number of students. The group hopes to expand that and bring out even more medical students, show them around, and include a trip to Long Island Lake to show the country living advantages of Westlock.
At the March meeting, funding was provided to the Westlock Citizens on Patrol for their project to provide solar-powered motion lights for back alleys behind homes in Westlock. Garth Kohlsmith noted with the monies received from the 100 Women plus other funding, they had provided 384 motion lights to residents.
This was the 35th quarterly meeting of the 100 Women Who Care since the program was brought to Westlock by Deneen Ducharme. In the 34 previous meetings, a total of $310,200 had been handed out to various organizations for their projects. With this 35th meeting, the total now stands at $320,200. Organizations who make presentations at these meetings who are not successful in receiving funds can return at a future meeting.
The next quarterly meeting of 100 Women Who Care will be held Sept. 17.
