Leonie Schumacher, Gary Field and Dominic Chircop in the bus that will run to and from Orange for Bathurst people needing cancer treatment.
IT is a service we all hope we’ll never need to use, but one that urgently needs support.
Bathurst Community Transport yesterday launched a 12-month trial of a Radiation Bus Service to transport cancer patients requiring treatment to and from Orange.
The bus leaves Bathurst at 9am and returns at noon, nine days a fortnight.
Bathurst Community Transport manager Leonie Schumacher said people using the service were being asked for a contribution of $5 per person per day.
“The service has long been identified as a transport gap in our community, which has caused considerable problems for people needing to access radiation treatment. There are people having to refuse treatment because of transport issues,” she said.
Ms Schumacher said the service had received more than 50 requests for transport since the Orange linear accelerator became operational last year.
“The difficulty we have is that all avenues of additional funding to run this 12-month trial have been exhausted, as no additional funding has been forthcoming, despite the support of local member Paul Toole,” Ms Schumacher said.
“The shortfall in funding is currently $13,363 and we would welcome any further donations to ensure the service is viable for the next 12 months.
If anyone is able to assist, contact Ms Schumacher on 6331 3322.