Our team of volunteer drivers and dispatchers offers peace of mind for patients who may not have the means to drive to and from essential cancer treatments and medical appointments. The physical, emotional and financial burden is lifted knowing our friendly volunteers are only a call away.

To book a ride, call 604-515-5400

Learn more about the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society at

www.volunteercancerdrivers.ca

This fund can help with travel costs. You are eligible if your household income is less than $150,000 per year and you need to travel for cancer treatment or appointments.

Visit the Canadian Cancer Society website. You can also call the Cancer Information Service at toll-free 1-888-939-3333.

Fund application form

If you live about a 4 hour drive or more from your cancer care and you want to travel by air, you can access free travel support from Hope Air. The Hope Air team will make flight arrangements on your behalf and cover all costs.

To learn more about Hope Air’s travel support:

• visit hopeair.ca
• email info@hopeair.ca
• call 1-877-346-HOPE (4673).

The BC Bus Program is available for low income seniors and people on disability from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. For more information, contact the BC Bus Program or call 1-866-866-0800.

BC Health Connections provides options for transportation to medical appointments. There are several programs that are available to your in your area.

BC Ferries provides assistance for people with disabilities, assured loading cards and is a part of the TAP program.

Medical Assured Loading (MAL) is a BC Ferries program offered for eligible patients who need to travel to and/or from a critical medical appointment by personal vehicle.

The TAP program through the Ministry of Health offers travel discounts to eligible B.C. residents who must travel for non-emergency medical appointment not available in their own community and whose travel expenses are not covered by third party insurance or other government programs.

To be eligible, you must be a BC resident and enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP); you must have a physician’s referral for medical services that are not available locally, escorts are also eligible if traveling with those incapable of independent travel. TAP forms are available from your family doctor, specialist’s office, or a cancer centre.

• Phone: 604-683-7151 (Vancouver)
• Toll-free:1-800-663-7100 (elsewhere in B.C.)

Individuals (and spouses if required as medical escort) may be eligible for assistance with treatment travel costs through their private extended health benefit plans.

Wheels of Hope provides transportation to and from primary cancer treatments. Service is available in Vancouver Island, the Interior and Prince George.

For more information, or to register and ask for transportation, please call 1-888-939-3333.

IMT offers non-emergency stretcher transportation with medical escort for patients in the Interior.  Users have to pay a fee.  Call 1-250-368-7978 or email info@bcimt.ca.

Give a Mile is a non-profit organization that provides free flights to those wishing to visit a dying loved one or flights for those who are terminally ill and want to say their final good-byes.

Fill out the request form

Give a Mile cannot guarantee they will fulfil your request. However, their volunteers review each request with compassion and care.

If you have been certified by a qualified medical practitioner as experiencing a permanent impairment of mobility to such an extent that the use of public transportation would be hazardous you may quality for this rebate if you own or lease a vehicle.

People who are the registered vehicle owner (or if you lease the vehicle), have a permanent disability and are considered "handicapped" under the Motor Fuel Tax Act, may be eligible for a 25% discount on basic Autoplan. Applicant must have a Motor Fuel Tax claim number when applying for insurance discount. Limit of $400 per year could be claimed. Call the Consumer Taxation in Vancouver.

• Phone: 604-660-4524
• Toll-free: 1-877-388-4440

Where to park at a cancer centre:

See Parking for Patients.

Parking disability permits:

Parking signs allowing people with disabilities to use designated accessible parking spaces are available in most parking facilities. Permits are available to people with permanent or temporary disabilities that impair mobility and organizations that provide transportation to persons with mobility impairments. Refer to issuer for application and process.

• If you need a permit for Greater Vancouver, Victoria & Prince George, apply online at Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC) website.
• For temporary, permanent or organization permit cost is $15. Visitor permits are $25. A refund of $10 is issued upon return of permit. For more information, call 604-718-7744.
• If you need a permit for the BC Interior, apply in person at the City of Kelowna, Revenue Branch. Permanent (3 yrs) and Temporary (1 yr) permits are available the cost is $10 plus taxes. Permits must be returned to Revenue Branch,1435 Water Street, Kelowna. For more information, call 250-469-8757.

Check with airlines often they have services for people flying and who have special requirements including the need for a companion when traveling. Contact the airline for information.