Janice Crutcher decided if she made it through cancer treatments she would find a way to give back.

Inspired by her own experience as well as how hard it was to watch her mother go through cancer treatments nearly a decade ago without much support, Crutcher found the Road to Recovery program offered by the American Cancer Society.

Crutcher, a Covington resident, has been cancer-free for two years.

“About six months or so after I completed all my treatments I really felt the need to help others in some way,” Crutcher said. “It was an agreement I made with myself, if I get through it, I’m going to pay it forward.”

Her mother died after a battle with cancer eight and a half years ago. Crutcher said her mother, who lived in California, often had to drive herself to treatments.

When she read about volunteer opportunities on the ACS website, she investigated. Crutcher said she wasn’t comfortable trying to raise money, but, when she saw the Road to Recovery program needed drivers to take patients to treatment sessions, she decided she could do that.

“I have a somewhat flexible schedule,” Crutcher said. “I started doing it and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

In addition, Crutcher has helped train other volunteers for the past year.

She tries to give at least two rides a week. Sometimes she does more.

“It really just depends on what I can fit in because there’s a huge need,” Crutcher said. “The Seattle, Kent and Renton areas are busy, busy, so trying to get all the rides done is very tough. That’s why it’s really important we get more volunteers.”

As an example, on March 26, Crutcher worked out with the driver coordinator — who is also a volunteer — to pick up a man from a chemotherapy session. She couldn’t take him because of other commitments she had, but, Crutcher told the coordinator she could pick him up if someone else could drop him off.

And the volunteer drivers do it not only on their own time, but, pay for gas out of their own pockets typically. Sometimes, Crutcher said, they get lucky and a grant comes in to help cover some of the expenses for drivers.

“It can add up, but, it’s worthwhile,” Crutcher said. “Most of the people that we drive, they either have family members that are working that really can’t take them five days a week or they don’t have people to drive them. That’s why it’s very rewarding to be able to help these folks.”

Some patients are referred to the program by their doctors who know that financially it is not feasible to drive multiple times a week with round trips from places like south Kent, Renton or Federal Way to Seattle for treatment because those can be 50 miles for one session.

Kimberly Dinsdale, a spokeswoman for ACS in Western Washington, wrote in an email that the program currently has 70 drivers but they could always use more.

“The need is endless,” Dinsdale wrote. “We are turning away patients every day because we don’t have enough drivers.”

The program is supported financially through a variety of fundraisers.

“In order for this program to function properly the American Cancer Society provides continuous training and background checks for all volunteers, supplemental auto insurance for drivers and vehicles, Call center staff to connect patients with their local coordinators and the overall management of the program,” Dinsdale wrote. “The funds to help support all of these activities are raised through direct donations to the Society and through the various events that are held throughout the year here locally and nationwide.”

Crutcher said she has driven people from all walks of life. Sometimes they want to know her story, other times they don’t want to talk about cancer at all.

“First of all the people that we drive are extremely thankful,” she said. “They’re very happy that we’re helping them.

“Most people are actually in quite a good mood considering they’re going through cancer treatments. For the most part, they’re easy to talk with. There’s always a different story and they all have unique situations.”

Those experiences, Crutcher said, make it worth the time, money and effort. She would like to see others volunteer with Road to Recovery.

“I do it because I’m selfish. I do it because it makes me feel good,” Crutcher said. “It’s so important that people go and volunteer if they have an hour a week or an hour a month, because it’s so rewarding. It’s whatever you can fit in on a particular day. It’s very flexible. It’s a great way to give back.”

For more information log on to: http://www.cancer.org/treatment/supportprogramsservices/road-to-recovery

Reach Assistant Editor Kris Hill at khill@covingtonreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5054.