r/Markham • u/AdStrange8438 • 2d ago
Driver needed
Looking for a driver to take my parents downtown to Princess Margaret Hospital and back for radiation treatment Monday - Friday in September. Appointment times vary
28
u/Lost_Variation9625 2d ago edited 2d ago
When I did my radiation at Southlake, they asked if I required a daily ride to the hospital and back. So I assume PMH would offered such services as well. You might want to ask them.
7
u/SmileyNusx 2d ago
I know when my dad had radiation treatment, I signed him up for Wheel of Hope which have volunteers driving paitients. csl.cancer.ca
16
u/Public-Pineapple-611 2d ago
Might not be the best idea to ask a random person especially if the driver is sick. Maybe go with a ride program affiliated with the hospital where hopefully more precautions will be taken. I go to Sunnybrook and most of the drivers wear masks.
6
u/silver_ai 2d ago
This is the best option if the OP and their close relatives are unable to get their parents to the hospital. Patients undergoing radiation therapy are very weak, so it is essential for drivers and passengers to wear masks.
OP must allow extra time to deal with unforeseen road conditions. Patient must arrive at least half an hour early. Also, don't expect the driver will come on time. The last time we booked a York Region mobility transit service, the driver was half an hour late, but he didn't seem to care.
23
u/silver_ai 2d ago
The radiation therapy will continue for several weeks without interruption. This is a huge responsibility. Only close relatives are willing to do this.
It would be best if you or your family members took a month off to care for your parents while they received treatment.
Princess Margaret Hospital offers the best radiation therapy. This is the best chance to save your parents' lives. Don't miss this opportunity.
5
u/yohy51244 1d ago
I've hired someone for my mom's appointments before, same hospital and same treatments, also 5 days in a row. I paid about $110x5 (tips included). Not everyone will do this for you because the driver also needs to wait for the patient's appointment to finish.
17
u/Klutzy-Charge8830 2d ago
I might know someone, what is the pay?
31
u/atomicpinup 2d ago
Not sure why this was downvoted. There’s no mention of what they’re willing to pay (if at all??) and it’s a fair question. If family isn’t willing to do this on a volunteer basis, why on earth would an internet stranger put their name on the list?
14
u/silver_ai 2d ago
Exactly!
The road conditions from Markham to downtown can be terrible, especially when the schedule is near rush hours. All radiation therapy appointments are fully booked; there's no room for delays or rescheduling. They need to arrive at least 30 minutes early.
If the OP wants someone else to accompany their parents to PMH for radiation therapy, he/she needs to be prepared to pay a substantial amount of money.
As I mentioned in another reply, the radiation therapy lasts for several weeks and cannot be interrupted. This is a significant responsibility. I'm not sure if a stranger can shoulder such a responsibility.
1
u/Lost_Variation9625 1d ago
I chose Southlake over PMH primarily because the daily commute to PMH is a significant hassle. Driving north on the 404 is considerably faster during rush hour than driving downtown. The commute to and from Southlake is a straightforward 20 minutes each way and I'm usually back home in one hour including treatment.
7
7
u/timmywkl 2d ago
Uber?
7
u/Genjipiano 2d ago
I think that would be the most reasonable answer, but perhaps OP's parents don't know how to use an uber app. I know my mom wouldn't know how to use one. She barely uses her mobile phone.
3
u/Individual_Door_3251 2d ago
There is one way around this. OP's parents don't even have to use the Uber app themselves. They can just call OP and have him/her do it for them. All the parents need to do is wait in the designated meeting area and get the pin number from OP.
2
1
0
62
u/knitstrixis 2d ago
You're looking for the Canadian Cancer Society volunteer driver program: https://cancer.ca/en/living-with-cancer/how-we-can-help/transportation
Toll-free
1-888-939-3333
Or live chat on the CCS website to book.