Volunteers sought for cancer care center at FCH

Hearing the words “You have cancer” is tough. Finding help and answers is made easier at the American Cancer Society Patient Resource Center at Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia.
Would you like to make a difference for area cancer patients? Do you have some time on a Thursday to help?
If so, Fayette County Hospital and the American Cancer Society would love to hear from you. Volunteers are needed to help cancer patients and their family members at the newly remodeled Patient Resource Center.
A volunteer training is being offered on Monday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to noon, at the hospital. Snacks will be provided.  
“A cancer diagnosis can turn your world upside down. There is so much to process all at once – insurance, treatments and everything in between that you hadn’t even thought about,” said Dave Rickman.
“Volunteers at the Patient Resource Center are there to help provide information and make the cancer patients aware of the many free resources that exist, such as ‘Look Good…Feel Better’ sessions for women or rides to and from treatment through Road to Recovery,” he said.
The American Cancer Society Patient Resource Center provided cancer patients, survivors and caregivers access to information on prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer.
In addition, society volunteers are trained to walk individuals through the variety of free programs and local services designed to remove some of the worries, so that cancer patients focus on getting better.
Programs, provided free by the American Cancer Society and its volunteers, include rides to and from treatment, free wigs, “Look Good…Feel Better” sessions, support groups, smoking cessation programs, help with insurance questions and medication assistance.
The Patient Resource Center at Fayette County Hospital is located at the second floor outpatient room, 650 W. Taylor St., Vandalia. Volunteers will be available to help individuals each Thursday, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Individuals are encouraged to sign up now for the Aug. 15 training session.
For more information about the Patient Resource Center or volunteering at the center, contact Lawrence Underwood at the American Cancer Society at 217-356-9076 or [email protected].
About the ACS
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force with more than 100,000 volunteers in Illinois and millions elsewhere, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer, and countless more who have avoided it, will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more or get help, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org