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Volunteers needed for cancer patients

To the editor:

More than 70,000 Pennsylvania residents will learn that they have cancer this year. For many, getting to the treatment they need may be a problem.

One cancer patient requiring radiation therapy could need anywhere from 20 to 30 trips for treatment in six weeks. A patient receiving chemotherapy might report for treatment weekly for up to a year.

In many cases, a patient is driven to hospitals or clinics by relatives or friends, but even these patients must occasionally seek alternative transportation. That's where Road to Recovery comes in.

Road to Recovery is a program of volunteers who drive patients to treatment centers and home again. Your American Cancer Society needs volunteer drivers to insure that patients have transportation when they need it.

Road to Recovery volunteers arrange their own schedules, with some volunteering as little as one afternoon a month and others driving patients as often as twice a week. The American Cancer Society can provide some compensation for driving expenses, including gas, tolls, and parking.

If you have a car and some spare time, you can help someone keep a potentially life-saving appointment.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.

To learn more about how you can become a Road to Recovery volunteer, call the Potter County American Cancer Society office at 274- 7397 or call 1-800-458-3856, ext 3509.

Lora A. Cope

Cancer Control Specialist

American Cancer Society

Domestic violence: Does it still matter?

Editor:

President Bush's proposed budget for 2008-09 could take billions of dollars in nontax money out of the hands of those working to eliminate domestic violence and add it to the general budget.

The result would be the loss of services, jobs and possibly the end of domestic violence services locally.

Domestic violence and sexual assault agencies recently learned that the proposed budget would redirect Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) money to the general budget, rather than directing it to state agencies and local programs that use it to provide services for victims of crime.

Local organizations rely heavily on VOCA money to provide services for victims and to pay their staff. If funds are not forthcoming, there would be no choice but to reduce staff, which would mean less counseling to victims, medical and legal advocacy, and prevention education.

Please contact your local representatives in Congress, urging support of VOCA funds for their intended purpose. They can be contacted at 202-224-3121.

Gail Howe

Bellefonte

Elk Case Is Test

Of Rights

To the editor:

Art Gavlock was charged with killing an elk that was causing damage to apple trees on his property near Renovo last August.

The Game Commission says an elk that enters private property, takes (consumes) apples and destroys trees has the right to do so.

However, the U.S. Constitution provides a citizen with the right to protect his life and property.

Judicial officers have pledged to obey, support, and defend the Constitution. They have a duty to provide citizens with protection of the laws.

Being a World War II veteran and aware of the sacrifices made by those in the military, I find it outrageous that our system of justice could subject a person to the torment imposed on the 81- year-old Art Gavlock.

As he arrives for his trial, he will be invading the field of the enemy, which is the courtroom. It's an awful feeling to be alone in enemy territory.

In light of Mr. Gavlock having devoted a portion of his life defending the values of the American people during World War II, please do not abandon him.

Do something, even if it's only a note addressed to Arthur M. Gavlock, Renovo PA, expressing your support.

Chester A. Ogden

Clearfield