THE City of Wanneroo Australia Day Community Group Award was awarded to Two Rocks Yanchep Assisted Cancer Travels group with president Sue Dash accepting the award on behalf of the organisation.
On the Two Rocks Yanchep Assisted Cancer Travels website Sue Dash said the organisation was established in response to the need within the community to have access to a sustainable subsidised transport service for residents with a cancer to attend the medical venues to receive the many medical, diagnostic and treatment programs (chemotherapy or radiation treatment) within the Perth CBD or surrounding townships, when no other workable form of transport was available.
After she was diagnosed and during the time she was undergoing treatment she found transport from Yanchep a big issue.
“Medical professionals at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital advised me not to drive my car to and from treatments due to possible side effects from my treatment plan – five days a week for seven weeks,’’ she said.
“A taxi fare for this trip is $138.00 one way, ($276.00 return) a day by five days a week for seven weeks.
“This would amount to thousands of dollars.
“Two Rocks and Yanchep residents are not eligible for the patient assisted travel scheme.
“Public transport would mean catching a bus, train and then another bus, three and a half hours travel time one way or seven hours return travel time.
“I was approached by the local Country Women’s Association and some of their members offered to put me on a roster to drive me, during the seven weeks I learnt of many other community residents facing the same issue.
“This is how TRYACT Inc. became established, in response to the need for a subsidised community transport service.’’
