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Roger Simmons
Roger Simmons

Birds, Words, Pics + TV

Channel 9’s Echols helping cancer patients

Roger Simmons, October 21, 2008

 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.

Read more about Echols’ group by clicking here.

And visit the Web site for Echols’ group by clicking here.

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