Women's Swimming and Diving Makes a Splash with American Cancer Society
2/21/2013 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
BUFFALO, NY - As the Women's Swimming and Diving team gets ready to make a splash when they host the MAC Championships from February 28 to March 1, it also made time to contribute to the American Cancer Society. The ladies of the swimming and diving program volunteered at the Hope Lodge. There, the team helped sterilize the house while also making baked goods for the visitors to contribute to the home-like environment.
The Hope Lodge, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, provides out of town cancer patients and their caregivers free and temporary housing in their pursuit for effective treatment. Finding a place to stay and also the extra funding to pay for out of town travels is the last thing a cancer patient should have to worry about. This home-like environment not only comforts each patient and their family but also enables them to simply focus on getting well.
"It is always special when we are able to give back to the community here in Buffalo. It was even more meaningful to be able to volunteer at an organization that I, as well as many other girls on the team, share a personal connection with," said Kelsey Barbour, who helped to organize the event.
Her teammate Spencer Rodriguez also added, "Seeing the reality that people need medical treatment away from their home is scary enough and not having a place to stay while getting treatment would be unthinkable. To think if these lodges were not around people would live in cars or possibly not be able to receive the treatment they need is heartbreaking. The services that the Hope Lodge provide are truly amazing."
Ava Giachino summed up the experience of the team service project by stating, "the Hope Lodge does an outstanding job at providing a home away from home for cancer patients. For us to be able to help out in any way is awesome and very rewarding."
The student-athletes at UB continually strive to immerse themselves in the Buffalo community to give back to the community that enables them to pursue their passion in athletics. Look for other team service projects in the upcoming weeks and throughout the entire semester.
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