YWCA Princeton representatives Susan Carril, Laura Martin and Paula Flory, all breast cancer survivors, were on hand with YWCA Princeton CEO Judy Hutton to pick up their new vehicle for its Breast Cancer Resource Center at Princeton Honda.
YWCA Princeton Breast Cancer Resource Center launched the Treatment Express Dec. 4.
The Treatment Express program provides transportation for individuals in need of ride to breast cancer treatment facilities.
BCRC director Paula Flory said the program was in the works when the Gatt family provided a key piece, a Honda Odeyssa minivan.
Dr. Sandy Gatt, a local surgeon, recently passed away from breast cancer. It was Gatt’s dream to help women going through the often lonely and rough treatments. In her memory, the Breast Cancer Resource Center received a new minivan, lovingly referred to as the “Gatt Mobile”.
“Everything fell into place allowing the program to launch this year, way ahead of our expected launch in mid- 2014,” Flory said in a statement.
The vehicle will enable the BCRC to provide a companion and a ride for those in need to their breast cancer treatments at local medical facilities. It will also enable the center to take its Wig & Prosthesis Boutique “on the road” directly to the homes of those who are too weak or not capable of visiting its office at the YWCA Princeton.
Dr. Gatt saw the many challenges those in treatment faced on a regular basis. For many, treatments were jeopardized because of lack of transportation. In some instances their spouse had to work, or it was a single woman without a support network, or someone whose family resides in another state. The Gatt family believes the Treatment Express program is one way to remove the obstacle to treatment.
Treatment Express is different from most transportation programs that simply pickup and drop off patients. It will provide a companion that will accompany and stay with the individual during the treatment session. What is also unique is that the companion will be a breast cancer survivor.
“It can be very lonely when you are at your most vulnerable,” Flory said, “having someone who has walked that path beside you whether to talk, hold your hand, get you a drink during treatment is tremendous.”
More information is online at ywcaprinceton.org.
