A program designed to help cancer patients at the American Cancer Society is in dire need of some help of its own. The program, called "Road to Recovery," is a volunteer-based initiative providing rides for cancer patients to their treatments. A severe shortage of volunteers is leaving some cancer patients unable to get a ride.

One of those patients is Christina Maxwell, a 40-year-old single mother battling breast cancer.

"I have to go to chemotherapy every Friday for 12weeks," said Maxwell.

Maxwell, a former "Texas School Nurse of the Year," has already undergone hair loss and a mastectomy. She contacted the Cancer Society to get a ride to one of her treatments.

"Im a single mom living in El Paso, my family is out of town, I've had lots of friends in El Paso that have offered to give me a ride, but after a while I just feel bad to burden them, and since the American Cancer Society does offer this program, I thought I'd take advantage of it," Maxwell said.

"I called them a week before I needed a ride, and unfortunately, there just weren't any volunteers available."

Martha Silva is a community manager at the American Cancer Society in El Paso, and she is trying desperately to bring more volunteers into the program.

"We have seen a humongous decrease in volunteers, and a lot of it has to do with financial needs," said Silva.

"Cancer in general is hard for a patient; finding help shouldn't be," she added.

All that is required to volunteer for the program is a driver's license, a vehicle and a clean record. Patients like Maxwell are hoping that people will step forward and help.

"The diagnosis of cancer is on the rise, and more and more people are being diagnosed and will need a ride to chemotherapy," she said.

"I think it's a great program they offer. It's worked in other cities, so I'd like to see it grow here in El Paso".

In some cases, drivers can be reimbursed if they are driving a hefty distance.

"If it's more than 30 miles to the treatment, and they are able to drive, we provide them with gas cards," Silva said.

There are currently only three volunteers able to drive the patients, and the Cancer Society just can't keep up with the number of calls it receives, leaving people like Maxwell to try to arrange their own rides.

"Myself, I've had lots of complications, I've had to undergo a number of surgeries, I've missed quite a bit of time off from work, so cancer can really take its toll," Maxwell said.

"I look forward to there being a cure one day," she added.

If you would like to volunteer for the program, please call the American Cancer Society, (915)544-4427.