Judith White, (80), from Lisburn, finds our Driving Service to be invaluable to her and many others going through a major crisis.
“Hello, my name is Judith, I am 80 years old, and I am married to Peter. My cancer story started in June 2021, when I was diagnosed with myeloblastic syndrome – a form of blood cancer.
“I love my garden and spend a lot of time in it, but after a while I found it became a lot of effort to make it from one end to another. I also had restless legs at night and knew something wasn’t quite right. I visited my GP and got bloods taken. My GP called back and told me to go to the hospital straight away.
“My initial treatment was blood transfusions in the Royal Hospital and then moved to City Hospital where I was told that my condition was extremely serious and needed chemotherapy, which I have been receiving since August. This is when I heard of Cancer Focus NI’s fantastic Driving Service through a friend.
“My husband is 83 and would get tired driving up and down to Belfast so this service is a vital link to me because I don’t have to deal with traffic and car parking, all of that stress is lifted away and eases things.
“The first few journeys to the hospital I was very anxious and nervous, but the volunteers really helped make me feel at ease. John told me if I wanted to scream or yell that I could, but we just talked and had a laugh. Chatting to the volunteers really calms me and relaxes me before I go into my appointments.
“John, Martin and Tommy and all of the volunteer drivers are absolutely lovely, they’re like friends to me now. The volunteers are so giving, supportive and do their jobs without expecting anything in return.
“Cancer Focus NI’s Driving Service is invaluable to me and many others who are going through a major crisis. They are so supportive and caring; I wouldn’t know what to do without it.”
“I hope that by sharing my story you can see how beneficial the driving service is. We need to make sure Cancer Focus NI can continue to run it in 2022, so, please donate £19.80 today, to support a 44-mile journey, £29.70 to support a 66-mile journey or £39.60 to fund an 88-mile journey to and from hospital for those affected by cancer.”
Your Christmas gift of £20 – £40 today, or whatever you can afford, to support our driving service, could help your neighbours, friends or family should they ever find themselves in Anne’s position.
With your support today, another local person could receive the help of our drivers, like Martin this Christmas and into 2022.
