CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – For those who suffer from cancer, it can sometimes feel like they are battling the disease all by themselves, even when they have the support of family and friends. There is a group of caring people ready to step up to help, and the nonprofit organization is known as ChemoGuardians.
In the fall of 2019 Chris Erlendsson, founder of ChemoGuardians, heard about a lady at his church that was suffering with pancreatic cancer. She was a shut-in and wasn’t always able to get to her medical appointments.
Erlendsson offered his help, and spending time with her made him realize that people needed people, and ChemoGuardians was born with the theme, “No one fights alone.”
How ChemoGuardians works
ChemoGuardians is headquartered in Clarksville and serves Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky with a two-hour travel time centered on Nashville because that is where most of the main medical centers are located.
ChemoGuardians is looking for drivers and vehicles to help. “On an average day we help seven to eight patients, and in an average week we see about 40 people, and we’ve seen almost 200 individuals come through our program over the last 2 1/2 years,” Erlendsson said.
Along with a need for volunteer drivers, Erlendsson talked about financial support for the organization. “Right now, it’s no cost to our patients. We don’t charge anything for a ride no matter how many rides they take. We are solely operating on donations,” Erlendsson said.
Yvette Ferguson is one of the patients that ChemoGuardians serves. “From the day that I found out that I had cancer, I didn’t know how I was going to get to my appointments because my husband needed to work. From the day I got out of the hospital until today, they have been a big help to get me to and from my appointments,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson had nothing but praise for Erlendsson. “He always gets me to my appointments on time. He cares about his patients, and he’s very helpful. It’s been a joy to ride with him and he’s always available to take you and he makes sure you’re in good hands,” Ferguson said.
Safety of course is a top priority for ChemoGuardians. Erlendsson said their drivers are all vaccinated against COVID-19, and if they are not feeling well, they are not allowed to drive. The inside of the vehicles are sanitized on a regular basis.
To learn more, make a donation, or to volunteer, visit chemoguardians.org, email chris@chemoguardians.org, or call or text 931-622-4825.
Giving Grace, sponsored by Grace Dental, is an ongoing Clarksville Now series showcasing local nonprofit organizations.