Because of you, STARS is able to serve the community.
Every morning and afternoon on Court Street in Jackson, Monday through Friday, you can see committed volunteers and cancer patients climbing into vans on their way to Sacramento, Stockton or Lodi. More than 420 trips have taken place between January and June of this year. Every month, these important trips help approximately 20 of our neighbors, friends and family members obtain cancer treatments. We know that battling this disease can create many hardships. Not only is it difficult to drive when you may not be feeling well, but with fuel prices on the rise, the cost of the trips for cancer treatments continues to increase. Van riders have informed us that riding in the Support, Transportation and Resource Services vehicles not only helps with the expense but also provides them with support. Laughs and stories are shared between the drivers and riders making the trips go by faster and helping them feel better.
As many of you know, this year's Camp Out for Cancer will be held Sept. 20 and 21. This annual event provides the funding necessary to keep the vehicles on the road. If you are interested in helping by being a van driver or are interested in learning more about services and fundraising efforts, please call the STARS office at 223-1246.