PORTLAND, Ore. — National Volunteer Week is in April, and many are raising awareness about the health benefits of giving back to others.
Alexandra Starling remembers the day her husband was diagnosed with a rare cancer. He had symptoms for years, but they didn't know what it was.
"He did have the cancer for about 10 years before the more serious symptoms, such as weight loss and vomiting, started to display," said Starling.
Doctors discovered the cancer was already in its late stages — stage four — and he needed immediate treatment. Starling drove him to his appointments.
"It was a terminal illness, but the treatments were able to prolong our time together. Without that, he would have missed a lot of great moments that we were able to create together," said Starling.
Starling now volunteers with the American Cancer Society, giving cancer patients rides to their appointments just like she did for her husband.
"The early times of grief, it can be very challenging and one of the ways that I found to be able to move forward was to try to find joy. For me, trying to find joy came in the form of volunteering, '' Starling said.
The American Cancer Society needs more volunteers and wants people to understand the health benefits of volunteering. Volunteers at The Dougy Center also play pivotal role. Andrew Over donates his time at the place that also helped him.
"I had a good friend that committed suicide about fourteen years ago, and his family was served by The Dougy Center. My friend was a basketball player, and one of the ways that I volunteered was to help raise money and shoot hoops on his behalf, " Over said.
Just as volunteering helped Starling and Over, Kilaa Slaughter-Scott with the Cambia Health Foundation said there are other health benefits.
"Overall, it really boosts one's joy and self-esteem. It improves your physical health because you're out there being active in the community, as well as your mental health, " Slaughter-Scott said.
Slaughter-Scott also said volunteering provides people the chance to give back.
"Serve your community in a passionate way. I think about what Dr. Maya Angelou says about being a rainbow in someone else's cloud — be a rainbow in someone else's cloud," Slaughter-Scott said.
Starling added that volunteering makes a difference.
"That's also a way that I honor my husband. Every day, I'm giving an opportunity. I'm here, and if I can make the world a better place, then that's definitely something I'm going to do with my life going forward, " said Starling.
Over said everyone should make sure they help others.
"Make it a priority, because there are a lot of people in need. It's not just raising money or finding other ways; there are a lot of ways that you can help support organizations, " Over said.