Volunteer drivers who take blood cancer patients to and from vital medical appointments last year travelled more than 1.5 million kilometres, the equivalent of driving 37 times around the world.

It’s a service the Leukaemia Foundation’s General Manager of People Living with Blood Cancer Emma Craig said could not be run without volunteers, as we celebrate National Volunteers Week this week (May 20 to 25).

“Volunteers are a vital part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s services. Without them we just could not offer this service, nor host the fundraising events which help raise vital funds to support Australians living with blood cancer,” Ms Craig said.

“Volunteers and members are part of the founding fabric of the Leukaemia Foundation, which was actually formed more than 43 years ago in Queensland, with the crucial support and funds raised by volunteers and the community.

“Those founding volunteers and their dedication to fundraising helped to bring the Leukaemia Foundation to life, and many hundreds of volunteers continue to be a big part of our organisation today,” she said.

“Some of our volunteers have been with us for as long as 40 years.”

“The contribution of our volunteer drivers is not just the service they provide behind the wheel, but the company and comfort they provide to people living with blood cancer. Often these people are very sick, and they are a long way from home and their family and friends.

“Our drivers provide such a valuable service just by being a familiar face, offering words of kindness and compassion, on what is often a long road to recovery.

“They are the unsung heroes of our organisation and the contribution they make to our services is immeasurable.”

The Leukaemia Foundation also thanks the volunteers who work tirelessly to support fundraising at events across the nation, and those who provide vital support across the organisation.

The Leukaemia Foundation will host Volunteer Week thank-you events across Australia this week.

To find out more call the Leukaemia Foundation on 1800 620 420