“We’re so fortunate to have so many individuals come to us and want to share their time and help our patients and families,” said Kathleen Kiene of the 300 James Cancer Hospital volunteers. Kiene is the Administrative Associate Director of System-Wide Volunteer Services, and she recruits, trains and mentors her small army of volunteers, who include a large number of former James patients … such as Laura Schoettmer. “I just want to make people feel hopeful, because there is so much hope here,” said Schoettmer, who was diagnosed with lymphoma several years ago and is now in remission. Kiene described all the different ways in which volunteers contribute to patient care, which includes: wayfinding and escorting, interacting and helping patients while they receive chemotherapy, in the surgical visitor’s lounge, as waiting room ambassadors, in the James’s outpatient facilities. “In our Restful Nights program volunteers are there from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. and they man carts and visit patients and offer amenities,” Kiene explained. “Conversations start and there are bonding moments between the patients and our volunteers. One volunteer watched Jeopardy with a patient and another patient played the guitar and our volunteers were there to listen and be part of that.” Schoettmer began volunteering in 2015, three years before she was diagnosed with cancer. She lost a cousin to breast cancer “and I was very angry and wanted to do something.” Some volunteers may initially be concerned interacting with cancer patients can be difficult emotionally. “It’s so fulfilling and so rewarding and every Thursday morning when I walk into the James [to volunteer] I feel exhilarated,” said Schoettmer, who volunteers in the chemotherapy clinic. For more information of becoming a James volunteer: https://cancer.osu.edu/for-donors-and-volunteers/volunteering/volunteer-opportunities