Who helps truckers when they get sick? This fund does

By Shefali Kapadia | for The Inside Lane

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Long hours. Limited access to doctors. Rising health risks. Life on the road isn’t easy for truckers—especially when they get sick. That’s where the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund steps in. Founded by Dr. John McElligott and two others, the fund helps OTR Class A drivers stay on top of their health, whether they need financial assistance during an illness or preventative care to keep them on the road. We spoke with Donna Kennedy, the fund’s executive director, to learn how it works—and what fleet execs can do to help.  

What does the fund do, and what are its main missions? 

If an OTR driver has to come off the road due to illness or injury, we help cover some essential household expenses, including rent, mortgage, utilities, insurance and vehicle payments.

Our second mission is preventative care and health maintenance. We offer programs for nicotine cessation, diabetes prevention and at-home cancer screenings for prostate and colorectal cancer. Colorectal screening is a simple test that provides results within five minutes at home. The prostate test is just as easy—drivers mail in their sample, and we follow up with the next steps if the results indicate a concern.

Why is it important to offer these resources to OTR drivers?

The long hours, sedentary lifestyle and limited access to healthy food make it difficult for truckers to prioritize their health. OTR drivers don’t always know when they’ll be home next, making scheduling a doctor’s appointment incredibly challenging. We aim to make healthcare more accessible and convenient so drivers can get the care they need without disrupting their work.

Aside from sleep apnea, diabetes and obesity, what are some lesser known but common health problems among truck drivers?

We see a high number of skin cancer cases, particularly because truckers are exposed to long hours of sunlight on one side of their body and many do not use sunscreen. Additionally, the constant bumping and jostling of the truck cab has been linked to prostate inflammation. Prostate and colorectal cancer are prevalent among truck drivers.

How can fleet executives and managers help with driver's health and wellbeing? 
First, fleet managers need to be aware of the fund and the resources available. If a driver is struggling with quitting smoking, for example, a manager can direct them to our free nicotine replacement program.

We also provide free flyers that fleet executives can print and post at terminals or distribute during onboarding. HR teams can introduce the fund as a complement to the company’s existing wellness programs, ensuring drivers know where to turn for additional support when they need it.

Above: Joshua, a beneficiary of SCF, and his family, who notes, "Thanks to SCF, we were able to keep our water running, electricity on and vehicles from being repossessed. I had a heart attack at a truck stop, [and] I am now going through months of cardiac rehab and am unable to get behind the wheel. Thanks to the Truckers Fund, we were able to make it through the struggle. May God bless them, as He's continued to bless us! Thank Y'all So Much!!" (Courtesy Truckers Fund/Facebook)

 This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.