As He Battles Cancer, Richard DiBella Drives Others to Treatment

RICHARD DIBELLA WITH HIS DAUGHTER AUBREY MOONEY AND HER CHILDREN MARY AND KATE. PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD DIBELLA

Richard DiBella’s never been to Hawaii, but one of his kidneys has.

Several years ago, he donated the organ to a sick child who took a post-transplant trip to The Aloha State.

DiBella, a lawyer from Mt. Lebanon, is helping other people travel by volunteering as a driver for the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Road To Recovery program. At least once a week, he chauffeurs folks to their medical appointments free of charge. The affable attorney is fighting cancer, too, so he makes good company during long, emotional journeys.

Some passengers use the commute as a sort of therapy session. Others remain silent. DiBella is happy to accommodate anybody’s needs.

“As long as I can drive, I’ll keep doing it,” he says. “It’s an opportunity for people to relieve stress and get where they need to go.”

Transportation barriers are the No. 1 reason for missed treatments. Road To Recovery was launched in 1981 and was paused during the Covid-19 pandemic. It got a jumpstart in 2022; ACS has been actively recruiting drivers since.

Nationally, 5,123 volunteer Road To Recovery drivers provided 89,247 rides in 2025 using their personal vehicles. In Pennsylvania, 6,342 rides were provided, which is a 53% fulfillment rate. There are currently 54 volunteer drivers in the Greater Pittsburgh area that includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Beaver, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

The volume of ride requests, especially in Allegheny County, is greater than the core of dedicated drivers can handle.

To become a volunteer, you must be between the ages of 18 and 84, pass a background check, and have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and access to a safe, reliable car. ACS provides training and an app allows you to manage transportation requests.

Most people are looking for a lift on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

DiBella started making the rounds a year ago, about six months after his prostate cancer diagnosis. He typically taxis between 7 and 8 a.m., so he can head to work directly after the drop-off. DiBella, who is 73, doesn’t plan to retire any time soon — from the practice of law or from community service.

He’s active at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church and, twice a week, serves as an “ambassador” at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, greeting people and guiding them through the facility.

RICHARD DIBELLA WITH HIS GRANDDAUGHTER FRANCESCA AT UPMC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH. PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD DIBELLA

DiBella says he inherited his philanthropic (and chatty) nature from his mom, who volunteered for Meals on Wheels well into her 80s. He was also inspired by the kindness of Mother Teresa and President Jimmy Carter, but the driving force behind his compassion is his daughter, who died from cancer in May 2024 at age 44. Aubrey Mooney was the mother of three and a nursery school teacher.

A smile spreads across DiBella’s tear-streaked face as he shares stories about her. She was born on Feb. 23, 1980, the day after the United States hockey team defeated the Soviet Union to win gold at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y.

They call the game the “Miracle on Ice.” DiBella believes his win that February was even greater. Her memory fuels his spirit and keeps him on the road to recovery.

“She had joy in her heart,” he says. “She was a very special woman and a great mom who did not hesitate to help people.”

If you are facing cancer and need rides to treatment, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit the Road To Recovery website to find out if there are drivers available in your area.