Lenora Helper celebrated 20 years of volunteering for CAMC during the month of February. Her dedication as a volunteer in the Wig Shop, formerly known as the Wig Wam, at CAMC’s Memorial Hospital has touched the lives of many women and children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments. In addition, her service has made a lasting impression on the families of these patients, the staff of CAMC and her fellow volunteers.Lenora was the first full-time volunteer to over see the Wig Shop. She can be found there at least one day a week logging more than 5,500 hours in her time at CAMC. Her work at the Wig Shop includes maintaining the stock of free wigs for patients of the David Lee Cancer Center. Funding for these wigs comes from Memorial’s Volunteer Auxiliary and private donations. Lenora also spends time cleaning and styling wigs and contributes time educating patients about these services at cancer support group meetings.
Lenora takes her job as a volunteer seriously because she has witnessed first hand how cancer can take an emotional and physical toll on patients. Lenora’s own mother battled cancer in the mid 1970’s, and she has witnessed other family and friends battle this scary disease.
When she retired in Jan. of 1989, she says that “things just fell into place” and that brought her to CAMC. When asked why she keeps volunteering, her reply was, “It is part of my life now. I plan for that just like going to church.” She says that she feels the experience is very rewarding.
Additionally, Lenora gives credit to her husband of almost 64 years - Otis. “He is wonderful.”
If Lenora doesn’t feel up to driving, Otis will bring her to the hospital so she can take care of the shop. If she needs to sit down while styling a wig she can count on him to get them off the shelf and hand them to her.
A value cannot be placed on the service that Lenora has provided over the years. Her dedicated and compassionate service has given hope to many who are experiencing the toughest battle in their lives.
If you would like to learn more about the Wig Shop or how to become a volunteer for CAMC, please call the Volunteer Services at (304) 388-7426.