One-of-a-kind organization helping cancer patients to their treatments

Big Give SA: Kate Marmion Rides to Radiation

SAN ANTONIO – Paul Smith Adela Hernandez and Sally Murphy are all battling cancer, and are all going through radiation treatments.

Five days out of the week, they travel 70 miles to Uvalde for their medical care.

Kate Marmion's Rides to Radiation offers relief for those patients. A driver picks them up every day from their homes and drived them to the Clear Springs Center for Cancer Care in Uvalde.

It is the only program of its kind in the area and picks up patients from up to nine counties.

"It may be a variety of reason why they need the service," program director Sheri Rutledge said.

Uvalde is the clostest location that has a radiation vault. Before then, patients would have to drive to San Antonio, Laredo or San Angelo.

"I wouldn't have been able to do it," Sally Murphy said. "I would have had to rent a room somewhere and stay here."

This year as a part of the Big Give S.A., Rides to Radiation is looking to reach their goal of $5,000.

"It goes toward operating costs of the vans," Rutledge said.

Since 2011, more than 200 patients have participated in the foundation.

For more on how to donate click here.


About the Author:

Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.