- April 18, 2024
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Florida Hospital Flagler’s Judith C. Macko Cancer Resource Library turns 2 years old in February.
Florida Hospital Flagler’s Judith C. Macko Cancer Resource Library opened in February 2010, through a grant from the Macko Family Trust. Offering multilingual informational literature and videos, as well as wigs and other apparel donated by the American Cancer Society, the center serves as a community aid to cancer patients and their families.
Below is a breakdown of the time and services the center has donated to Flagler residents since its opening two years ago.
13 The number of trained volunteers who staff the library. Many are cancer survivors, and all are members of the Florida Hospital Flagler Auxiliary. The volunteers also help with the hospitals’ Breast Cancer Support Group, which meets monthly.
2,500 The approximate number of hours library volunteers have served since 2010.
650 The number of patients, new and returning, registered through the American Cancer Society from 2010 to 2011.
3,231 The estimated number of visitors to the library since its opening — about 1,400 in 2010 and 1,600 in 2011— including patients, their families, students, teachers, hospital staff and visitors.
X According to volunteer Geri Wires, it’s difficult to determine the number of free wigs/hair pieces, hats, handmade chemo/knit caps, port pillows, turbans, scarves, mastectomy bras and prostheses the center provides, since a running tally is not kept of individual items. Handmade blankets and shrugs have also recently been added to the center’s inventory, donated by the Flagler County Blanketeers.
7 The number of areas covered in the library’s brochures, books and videos. Supplied by organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, information on diagnosis, treatment, nutrition, financial aid, care-giving, support groups and where to find additional information can be found. There is also a community calendar, including free transportation options for those undergoing treatment.
1 The number of touch-screen computers in the center, for additional technical information.
5 The numbers of days per week the library is open: Mondays through Fridays, in the doctor’s wing of the hospital.
“Our goal is to be there and let every one of our visitors know that we care, (and) we’re here to help them navigate their cancer journey,” volunteer Geri Wires said. “We are often the first stop when a patient is diagnosed, and our goal is to be here to walk with them until their recovery. … (Patients) always leave with a hug and an encouraging word.”
THE VOLUNTEERS
The current list of Judith C. Macko Cancer Resource Library volunteers is as a follows:
Barbara Lundgren, volunteer chairwoman
Marie Stokes
Cynthia Curtis
Denise Powell
Jeannie Rodriguez
Joy Mottel
Eileen Brennan
Geri Wires
Carol Sanker
Pat Flood
Eleanor Lumley
Anna Lewis
Paula Mangum
