Red Cross rides for older Wichitans to end soon

American Red Cross in Wichita will end its free ride service June 29 for older adults who need help going to and from medical appointments.

No other organizations have stepped up to take over the Red Cross program, according to a written statement from Michelle Jantz, executive director of the American Red Cross Midway Kansas Chapter. She declined to be interviewed for this story.

The decision to end the ride program came from the national Red Cross office as part of an effort to focus on disaster relief and blood donations.

“It’s a shame – it’s a real shame,” said Pat Hanrahan, president and CEO of United Way of the Plains, which helps fund the program with the Red Cross.

“I’m so disappointed that the national Red Cross did not see fit to allow their local office to continue what was proving to meet a need.”

The Red Cross ride program donates 15,300 one-way trips each year to 600 residents. That averages to 29 round-trip rides each weekday.

Other ride programs exist in Sedgwick County, but many have restrictions or fees for the service.

Nicole Rogers, a professor at Wichita State University who researches older adults, said if some older residents can’t find other rides, it could jeopardize their ability to live on their own, which is less expensive than assisted living.

“Another aspect is that if they delay their appointments, then their health problems could get more complicated quickly,” she said. “And it could be costly for that person’s health, as well as the medical costs of it.”

No interest from nonprofits

The Red Cross program offers the rides to residents ages 60 and older who live within Wichita for medical-related appointments.

Last year, the local Red Cross chapter hosted a meeting with United Way to seek local nonprofits that could continue the service.

When none stepped up, Red Cross continued the program one more year, in hopes an organization would come forward.

At the beginning of February, Red Cross sent letters to ride recipients, local elected officials, doctors’ offices and local nonprofits, announcing it would end the program this summer while still hoping to find a replacement organization.

Red Cross hosted another meeting Feb. 26, but again, no organizations came forward.

The program costs $371,354 a year, paid for by United Way of the Plains, the Red Cross and some tax dollars.

Hanrahan, of the United Way, said United Way would still contribute its $188,816 share for the program, if another organization takes over. But he noted the need for liability insurance, staff, volunteers, vehicle maintenance and additional funding.

Rides for cancer patients

Coincidentally, the American Cancer Society is trying to recruit volunteer drivers in Wichita to revamp its own ride program.

Its program only serves cancer patients for cancer-related visits, whereas the Red Cross program offered rides for any medical-related appointments, including eye doctors and dentists.

The American Cancer Society program, called Road to Recovery, started five years ago and has three volunteer drivers.

The Red Cross program had 40 volunteers, eight vehicles used by the volunteer drivers and three full-time positions.

Volunteer drivers for the American Cancer Society use their own vehicles and gas for the program.

Jennifer Kelley, senior marketing manager for the High Plains Division of the American Cancer Society, said the program was unable to serve 51 people last year because of its lack of volunteers.

She said it hopes to add about 10 to 15 volunteer drivers in Wichita and the surrounding area.

To volunteer, or to find out more about the program, call 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org/drive.

This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 6:46 AM with the headline "Red Cross rides for older Wichitans to end soon."