Finding Solutions: Volunteers support cancer patients in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Cancer Support Services helps meet the needs of cancer patients and their families.

They’re centered around healing and creating better outcomes.

On Friday, volunteers met at their facility to support them in what they do by finding solutions to make the journey for cancer patients a little brighter.

Peggy and Mark Suber are from Macon, Ga.

Peggy was diagnosed last November with cancer and has been receiving treatment at the Georgia Cancer Center.

“It’s been great. Really and truly great. I’ve gotten the best care anybody could’ve ever gotten,” said Peggy.

Cancer Support Services is a non-profit organization that provides lodging, transportation, financial assistance and emotional support to cancer patients.

The Subers are staying at their facility while Peggy goes through chemo and radiation.

“It helped me a lot because I couldn’t afford to drive every day back and forth from Macon. We stay here Monday through Friday, and then go home Saturday and Sunday and come back Monday,” said Peggy.

Thanks to donors and volunteers, the services are provided at no cost to patients.

Mark said: “It’s free. You don’t need a healthcare crisis and then a financial crisis because you know some people have been drained of their life savings trying to get treatment.”

Volunteers came out and showed their support for the organization through cleaning and gardening.

This is all a part of United Ways’ Project Serve Day.

Craig Tatum, a volunteer, said: “This is just a way for us to help brighten their day a little bit and clean the place up. It looks good to begin with, but it’s just a way for us to help.”

Volunteers were spread out across the CSRA at different locations. But for Aaron McPhee, serving at Cancer Support Services meant a lot.

“My wife had a brain tumor and many years ago was treated at Augusta University and is in remission, which is very good and went through radiation therapy, but all of these places do a phenomenal job for the community,” said McPhee.

The Subers say they’re thankful for the staff and volunteers and encourage others who need help to get it here.

“I hadn’t met anybody that wasn’t super nice. They’re all caring and that makes a big difference,” said Peggy.

As for Peggy, she has a couple of weeks left of treatment, and things are looking good to where she may not need surgery.

Since January, Cancer Support Services has provided more than 3,000 patients transportation to and from treatment across the CSRA.

And just this week, they provided lodging to 36 people.

They always need volunteers.

You can be a part of their outreach team where they call and check in on patients all over and help with other projects.

To donate or learn more, visit their website.

To receive services, you do have to be referred by a doctor.

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