Former cancer patient honored for giving rides to chemo therapy
Published: June 25, 2005
When Bryan Grebner was undergoing treatments for a brain tumor, he noticed a disturbing trend with some of his fellow patients.
“Many people were on the same schedule I was for chemo treatments,” the Peru resident said. “On occasion I would see a few of them weren’t there.”
In some cases, he later found out, this was because they simply didn’t have rides to the hospital and opted not to go.
After completing his treatment, Grebner decided to do something about it. He started an American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program in the Illinois Valley. The program enlists drivers to transport those needing cancer treatments to their appointments.
More than eight years after his initial diagnosis, Grebner still is in remission and the program he began still is helping those suffering from the disease.
Grebner and the area’s Road to Recovery program were profiled in a cover story in American Cancer Society’s “Northern Vision” spring 2005 newsletter.
“I wasn’t even sure if it was the right thing to do. I wasn’t sure if anyone else was doing it,” he said. “But in the end, I was rewarded with the knowledge that we were all helping with a cause that was deeply needed in the area.”
With the help of the American Cancer Society’s Rockford office and St. Margaret’s Hospital nurse Ellen Parks, Grebner set the program up and recruited two other drivers.
The number of drivers has since expanded to nine, with others expressing interest. The program serves La Salle, Bureau and parts of Marshall and Putnam counties and transports patients both locally and as far away as Wisconsin or Iowa City.
While his work schedule has forced him to step down as the program’s coordinator, a member of Grebner’s family has become a frequent Road to Recovery driver.
Grebner’s mother, Ann, was unable to reach him while he was out driving one of the patients. When her son told her the reason for his absence, Ann asked how she could join.
That was about three years ago, and Ann is still transporting patients — she provided more than 400 rides last year alone. She still provides rides to the first patient she ever drove.
“I’m driving cancer patients to thank God for saving my son’s life,” she said.
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“Each one is a unique experience in themselves,” he said. “You become friends with them so quickly. It’s just sad to see it had to happen this way.”
Bryan encouraged people to come out and support programs such as various counties’ Relays for Life to support those with the disease. He said it was the support of his wife, Mary Beth, stepdaughter Katy and the community as a whole that helped him pull through.
“They didn’t let me give up, so I encourage others not to give up.”
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