“I want to do whatever is in my power as a volunteer,” Fricke says.


HCI expands its world-renowned cancer programs, our services will also expand. Volunteers and interpreters are vital to HCI’s mission—especially as new patients who speak multiple languages come here.”


Raphael looks forward to growing the volunteer community at HCI and celebrating their efforts. “We want our volunteers to know we appreciate them and recognize their great service and positive impact.”


Lori Maness, Outreach Program coordinator at HCI, depends on volunteer interns to give presentations, attend health fairs, complete community needs assessments, and assist with tobacco- cessation training. “Interns receive great hands-on experience working with the community. Tey help us reach more people and bring new energy to presentations,” says Maness. Outreach interns are seniors in college preparing for a career in health education or medicine. Maness is proud to see interns graduate and move on in their careers. “We had an intern who was passionate about cancer education because he is a childhood cancer survivor. He’s now in medical school. I believe his experience at HCI will help shape his career.”


In her role as Interpreting Services coordinator, Raphael assures translation is available for non-English-speaking patients during their appointments. “As


Volunteers receive meal and parking privileges as well as an invitation to attend an annual luncheon during National Volunteer Month. But, as Raphael points out, the greatest incentive for volunteers “is knowing they help the patients, help further research, or educate someone about cancer. Truly, their reasons for being here are the same reasons HCI is here.”


Fricke agrees. “HCI’s mission statement includes ‘to relieve the suffering of cancer patients,’ and I figured I could be of service in that respect by showing patients and caregivers that we really do care about them. I want to do whatever is in my power as a volunteer.”


ALLISON’S STORY


“My first thought was, I’m dying. I’m dying and I didn’t even know it,” says Allison Sandor, a stage IV colon cancer survivor. Allison was diagnosed at the age of 29. She lived abroad with her husband who is in the military and says because of her age, it took doctors fifteen months to determine her condition. “Cancer never en- tered their minds,” she says. “I was so young and healthy.”


Once she received an accurate diagnosis, Allison went through surgery and chemotherapy. Shortly after treatment, Allison’s husband Mark was transferred to Utah, and she was referred to Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) for follow-up care. “I was so impressed with the facility—it is state of the art,” she says.


HCI doctors encouraged Allison to undergo ge- netic testing and other screening exams that would determine if she was at higher risk for other types of cancer. “The genetic testing was a necessary next step to be proactive about my health condi- tion. It prevents me from being blindsided by any more cancers,” she says. All tests came back negative, which means Allison can start planning her future.


“I look forward to starting a family with my husband, which was put on hold for five years. I feel like I have hope—a second chance at life. I’m thankful to be here every day. I’m healthy again.”


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