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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, April 24, 2013 | 8 Driver draws inspiration from his passengers by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Retired Oakville resident John Van Atter, 62, will be the first to admit his reasons to volunteer were selfish, at first. Driving cancer patients to and from their appointments was something for him to do with his time. But now, he says, it has become a lot more. When Van Atter first read about the need for volunteer drivers in the Oakville Beaver years ago, he says he was concerned he would get cancer patients "all bunched up in the corner of the car, weeping" over their diagnosis. "It ended up being difficult to find a more positive group of people... to the extent where Try the Y April 15-28, 2013 Get your FREE two-week trial pass Makeime family itve! act Experience the YMCA for two weeks - absolutely free! Take a tour and discover the benefits of YMCA membership. Valid only at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA. Limit of one trial per person, per year. YMCA of Oakville Peter Gilgan Family YMCA We're Social! Scan to see our video overview! 905-845-3417 ymcaofoakville.com I no longer call them patients, I call them my passengers," said Van Atter, who is in his fifth year as a driver for the Canadian Cancer Society's Halton Unit. "We take a lot out of this world and this is just a neat way to put something back in... The people are very thankful and positive, and I think that just stems from the mentality that if they're not, they can't win (their battle against cancer)." Van Atter will be one of several volunteers taking part in the Driver's Lap during this year's Relay for Life at Appleby College on Friday, May 31. The lap is a new addition to the non-competitive, festivallike 12-hour overnight fundraiser. It is a way to recognize the volunteer drivers who dedicate time in their day ensuring local cancer patients don't have to worry about getting to their appointments. "I've developed friendships with some of the passengers and it's been an incredibly positive experience for myself, as well," Van Atter said. The 31-year Oakville resident acts as a driver two days a week, picking up between one to three passengers from their homes, takes them predominately to Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital, and then back again. "It's mostly morning drives, so the only bad thing is Toronto traffic," Van Atter said. "I give myself an hour to an hour John Van Atter is a volunteer driver for the Canadian Cancer Society Halton Unit. photo by Eric Riehl ­ Oakville Beaver and a half to get in. I would much rather get there 45 minutes early than a minute late." He recalled one time hearing a knock at his car window while he was parked reading in front of a restaurant near the hospital while waiting for his passenger to finish an appointment. The restaurant owner offered to buy Van Atter a coffee. "He said, `You're helping people, so I will help you.'" Now every time I go to that restaurant, he gets me a latte," he said. "It's a small community around there (Kensington Market) and it's as if now I'm a part of it. It's really neat." Van Atter says the experi- ence of being a volunteer driver is unlike anything else. "It's very fulfilling and the people are tremendous and thankful. You don't feel like a taxi driver," he said. "And they (Canadian Cancer Society) are always looking for drivers. Unfortunately, the number of people diagnosed with cancer isn't going down by any stretch of the imagination. "Being a driver, it's a way of making your life full. Everyone involved, the passengers, the organization, they're all positive." To volunteer as a driver, call 905-845-5231. To participate or support the Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlife.ca/oakville or call the Society's Halton unit. www.oakville.ca Students... Workout for less than $21 per month! We understand the demands of student life. 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