Cundiff and Coleman are part of a new effort started by Michael Schwerin, assistant director of psychosocial support, UK Markey Cancer Center, to recruit volunteers who also are cancer survivors to interact with patients. But, no matter how hard I try, I've never walked in their shoes. The only people who can truly understand are those who have experienced cancer first-hand. A volunteer visits each new patient at Markey Cancer Center and gives the patient a packet containing information on cancer, support groups and available resources.
Volunteers also help fulfill patient requests for reading materials, videos, and information.
Most importantly, these volunteers listen to patients and their families and try to comfort them. All the patients here are like little golden nuggets to me. Cundiff has survived cancer twice. Twenty years ago, she underwent treatment for a malignant melanoma. Then, two years ago after a routine mammogram, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.