CANCER patients often turn up at Western Care Lodge in Orange on a Sunday, anxious about starting their radiotherapy treatment at the nearby Orange hospital the following day.
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However, they are reassured when they are welcomed by the friendly face of a volunteer, who settles them in and makes sure they have everything they need.
“Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our lodge,” Cancer Care Western NSW fundraising chair Jan Savage said.
Yesterday the lodge’s volunteers got together to celebrate International Volunteers’ Day.
Husband and wife Judy and David Swallow are proud of their commitment to volunteer at the lodge.
“We absolutely love doing what we do, it gives us a great sense of satisfaction,” Mrs Swallow said.
Mrs Savage said, unlike many groups who are struggling to find and maintain volunteers, Western Care Lodge has 38 committed volunteers.
“Our volunteers have to undergo things like fire training and inductions so we are extremely fortunate they have stayed with us and we are able to maintain a strong rotating roster,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to see how they can instantly make someone feel at home when they arrive at the weekends.”
Western Care Lodge management committee chair Paul Englart said the volunteers should be congratulated on their efforts all year.
“We are very lucky to have such a fantastic group of volunteers,” he said.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au