New Westminster Fire Fighters Charitable Society

The Board of Directors and Volunteers of the VCDS are thrilled that the New Westminster Fire Fighters Charitable Society continues to show their appreciation and recognition of the service we provide to cancer patients in their community.

We would like to thank these hard-working men and women for their service. Their Charitable Society’s purpose is helping those in their community in need. Comprised of active first responders, they actively participate and volunteer in the community to raise money and promote fire awareness and safety.

The Royal City received coverage from another organization but would not take patients across the Fraser River. When our Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society began operations in 2016, we recognized the needs of New Westminster patients who had to receive treatment at the cancer centres in Surrey and Abbotsford.

In 2019 VCDS provided 1710 patient rides to New Westminster residents. Our drivers donated over 1500 hours of volunteer time and drove over 26,000 kilometres.

78-year-old cancer patient Bob Peace, who lives at Westminster Quay, said he took a taxi to treatment at the Surrey Cancer Centre three times while our service was suspended. Each return trip cost him $50. He is happy to have our friendly volunteer drivers back in service.