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Several times a month, Darlene Parker drives cancer patients to treatment through the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program. The trips provide more than transportation—they can also build friendships.
Parker, a Washington Commanders fan, trades lighthearted football jabs with one regular passenger who supports the Dallas Cowboys. Their rivalry has become part of the routine as they travel to the treatment center.
At 71, Parker volunteers as a driver, connects with fellow cancer survivors and advocates for patients. On Jan. 21, she traveled to Richmond to support House Bill 1725, known as the Medical Debt Bill, and met with delegates before the measure passed the House.
“That was exciting,” Parker said. “It was wonderful to think you could make a difference.”
The Medical Debt Protection Act would prohibit large health care facilities and medical debt buyers from adding interest or late fees to medical debt. It also would require them to offer payment plans and establish timelines for certain extraordinary collection actions. Violations would be treated as prohibited practices under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
A lifetime of volunteering
Parker’s involvement began after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1977 at age 23. She was living in Montgomery County, Maryland, when she started volunteering with the American Cancer Society.
Now a Reston resident, Parker retired last year as director of partnership development at the National Captioning Institute, a nonprofit that provides closed captioning for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
She has continued serving as a volunteer driver.
“It’s incredibly rewarding,” Parker said.
Transportation problems can prevent patients from completing cancer treatment. Research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that delayed care caused by transportation barriers was associated with greater emergency room use and a higher risk of death among adults with and without a history of cancer. Cancer survivors facing transportation difficulties had the highest risk.
Road to Recovery seeks to close that gap. During 2024, 3,678 volunteer drivers across the United States provided 47,198 treatment rides to 4,322 cancer patients. Demand remains high.
From treatment rides to an NFL field
Parker’s volunteer work also brought her onto the field during halftime of the Commanders-Bears game in the fall. She appeared with other cancer survivors at the game that ended with the Commanders’ last-second Hail Mary touchdown and helped pack “Hope Kits” alongside Commanders players that afternoon.
For Parker, standing before a packed stadium became an unforgettable extension of a journey that began with volunteering behind the wheel.
“With volunteering you get back more than you give,” she said.
Fairfax County has 19 Road to Recovery drivers, according to Vivienne Stearns-Elliott, the American Cancer Society’s regional integrated marketing director for the Northeast.
“Of course, we can use more volunteer drivers,” Stearns-Elliott said.
Volunteer drivers must be between 18 and 84, hold a valid driver’s license, carry adequate automobile insurance and have access to a safe, reliable vehicle. They also must pass background and motor vehicle record checks and be comfortable using technology with reliable internet access.
Prospective drivers can call the American Cancer Society’s Volunteer Care Center at 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org/drive.