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The Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs

Rotary at work, June 2012: Daffodil Van #7

     The Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs in June donated its seventh patient transport van to the Monroe Unit of the American Cancer Society.

     Fundraising over a five-year period brought in the $21,783 for the new van. It will join two other vans now in operation by the all-volunteer "Daffodil Express." 

     Jim Mathieson, the Cancer Society regional health initiatives director, said the need for the free cancer patient transport service "continues to grow exponentially."  In fiscal year 2010 (which ended Aug. 30, 2010) the Daffodil Express provided 886 rides to treatment for 54 patients. In 2011, it rose to 2,468 rides for 78 patients. And this year, with two months left in the fiscal year, the services is already at 2,552 rides for 98 patients.

     The vans and the 28 volunteer drivers provide rides to the Hughes Cancer Center in East Stroudsburg and to other hospitals in the Lehigh and Wyoming valleys.

     This handles the access-to-care issue that is so important," Mathieson said. "It is a fantastic testament to a lot of supporters," including the volunteer drivers and the Rotary.

     Gray Chevrolet in Stroudsburg helped with the purchase.  Rotarian Dick Ludwig donated the graphics for the van.  Club President Paul Conforti said fundraising for the eighth van is already under way.

The Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs meets Thursdays at 11:55 a.m. at the Sycamore Grille in Delaware Water Gap and is eagerly recruiting anyone who wishes to embrace the community and share the good feeling that results when good times bring good things to good people.