WFTV morning and noon anchor Vanessa Echols went through a very public battle with breast cancer four years ago. Today, she’s healthy, in remission and giving something back. She has founded the Compassionate Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach, a volunteer group that helps breast-cancer patients with errands, visits to the doctor and providing the emotional support that is so needed during a health crisis.
In a story in today’s Orlando Sentinel, Echols also says
the group also sometimes brings gift baskets to patients’ homes as part of its outreach. “It’s like a pep rally,” she said. “We go to the house and let them talk. That’s a big part of it. Your family can be extremely supportive, but if they haven’t been a breast-cancer patient, they can’t fully understand the experience.”
With October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Echols is attempting to draw attention to her outreach too — hoping to recruit more volunteers and donors to help her group expand its reach to those in need.
