The Villages - October 2019 - 6

not knowing what to expect,"
Noreen Treat and her husband
Noreen said. "We try to alleviate
Tim are cancer survivors, diagthat in any way we can. It is such a
nosed six weeks apart.
great feeling to see a woman with a
"He had lymphoma and I had
smile on her face after she came in
breast cancer, so we both went
with tears."
through treatment at the same
Noreen notes that while she initime," she said.
Now 14 years cancer free, Nortially had reservations about voleen gives back with a spirit of gratunteering, she's happy she decided
to move forward.
itude.
"I was afraid I'd get depressed
"I started volunteering with the
having to think about cancer
ACS (American Cancer Society)
again," she said. "When the time
because I felt that it was time to
was right for me, I was ready. I'm
help other women struggling with
so glad I decided to do what I am
breast cancer or other types of
NOREEN TREAT
doing, and I would advise anyone
cancer - understanding full well
14 YEARS CANCER FREE
going through cancer or treatment
what they're experiencing at such
to go to support groups; survivors
a stressful time in their lives."
should volunteer to help if they can. My husband is
Noreen works at the Cancer Resource Center,
president of The Evening Rotary Club, and they make
offering women wigs, hats and turbans, donated from
handmade totes filled with useful items for cancer
various organizations within the community.
patients."
"They're completely free to the women," she said.
Whatever you do, do something, Noreen urges. "It's
"Our goal is to see them smile and feel better than they
such a rewarding experience."
did when they came in."
Noreen notes that while she was going through
treatment, she wasn't aware of such programs.
"I wish I had known," she said.
More than material things, volunteers like Noreen
are proud to give empathy and hope to cancer patients.
"It is so important to be in contact with people who
understand what you are feeling and going through
when battling cancer," she said. "You can talk to family
and friends but no one can understand like a person
who has gone through it."
At the Cancer Resource Center, volunteers listen with a
mission to help and support patients as much as possible.
"Most patients come in feeling so alone and afraid,
The Evening Rotary Club donates handmade totes.

F O R I N F O R M AT I O N O N P R O G R A M S O R V O L U N T E E R I N G ,
C O N TA C T T H E A M E R I C A N C A N C E R S O C I E T Y: 1-800-227-2345 | www.cancer.org

OCTOBER 2019

http://www.cancer.org

The Villages - October 2019

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