If not for volunteers like Albert Toews and transportation vans from the Canadian Cancer Society, thousands of cancer patients would have to find their own way to and from exhausting treatment sessions or other related appointments.
As a retired businessman, Toews wanted a way to help others and found that Cancer Society needed drivers.
"It gives me that feeling that I'm really doing something that is worthwhile and I'm helping somebody out," said Toews.
Without the transportation service, it would mean people like Heather Thompson would have to spend hours on a transit bus or spend hundreds of dollars a year on cabs or parking.
"It's really helpful. I just call it up and they come and get me and I go for support group and I go for art or whatever and I go to different occasions so it's just excellent," said Robertson.
The Cancer Society says more than 30,000 people a year get these rides.
And the program, which costs half a million dollars a year to run, is appreciated by cancer patients and their families.
"The answers from people all the time are ‘nine out of 10 - absolutely this is a program that helps me and helps my family cope better,’" said Canadian Cancer Society spokesperson John Douglas.
There are six vehicles like it throughout the province, four of them in Winnipeg.
And for the first time, the province will fund $75,000 dollars a year to keep the service going.
“When they brought this issue to us, we jumped at the chance to help, this is a fantastic program it's run by volunteers," said Health Minister Erin Selby.
As the population ages, cancer rates are expected to rise and the Canadian Cancer Society is hoping the level of donations and number of volunteers with keep up with the demand.
