The free shuttle service transports patients staying in the Cancer Society’s accommodation, Daffodil House in Merivale and Daffodil Lodge in Riccarton, to and from radiation and chemotherapy appointments at Christchurch Hospital.
Janice Porter-Hoare, fundraising and events manager for the Cancer Society’s CWC division, said that the Lions Clubs’ significant donation was a huge help towards funding the $65,000 required to operate the shuttle each year.
“The shuttle currently operates from 7.30am until 9pm Monday to Friday, which translates to approximately 16,000 individual patient trips. Given that the patients we are providing our service for, come from all over the South Island it is fabulous to see local Lions Clubs from a variety of regions supporting this Christchurch-based service,” Porter-Hoare said.
Porter-Hoare acknowledged that this was the fourth consecutive year that the Lions Clubs had donated to the shuttle service.
“The late John Cramond from Motueka organised the first donation in 2017 after having used the shuttle service himself while having cancer treatment in Christchurch,” Porter-Hoare said.
“Sadly John passed away last year, but his legacy lives on in this donation, which is extremely important to us given that we anticipate the demand for the shuttle service to grow even further during 2021.”
Lions Club representative Christine Stewart, 1st Vice District Governor for District 202J, visited Daffodil House to see the shuttle service in action and accepted a certificate of thanks from the Cancer Society on behalf of the contributing Lions Clubs.
In addition to providing accommodation and transport services, the Cancer Society provides education and support services for cancer patients and their families, as well as co-ordinating and funding cancer research.
As the society receives no direct government or health service funding, it is reliant on donations to fund its services.
•If you would like more information on the Cancer Society or would like to make a donation, visit canterbury-west-coast.cancernz.org.nz. To speak to a member of the support team, phone 0800 Cancer (226 237).
