Penny Slothower was motivated to volunteer at the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Resource Center at Valley Medical Center after being hit by a double dose of reality.

Shortly before she made her decision, her daughter and her sister were diagnosed with cancer.

Up until that point, at age 66, Slothower had never had a mammogram. That changed, at her daughter’s request.

And now she devotes some of her time to giving back to others who have been affected by the

disease.

“I hadn’t been touched by cancer prior to my daughter’s experience and my sister,” Slothower said. “It all kind of happened at the same time. I hadn’t really paid that much attention to it.”

Slothower now passes out information about cancer to patients and helps them connect to resources.

She is one of the 11 volunteers at the center at Valley Medical.

The center provides free wigs, hats, scarves and information to patients who’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s not just for Valley patients,” said Jennifer McCoy, oncology social worker for Valley. “It’s a program that the American Cancer Society and Valley Medical Center are in partnership to provide to the community.”

That support includes resources like the “Reach to Recovery” breast cancer support program and the “Road to Recovery” transportation program, transporting patients to their treatments.

They also have a “Look Good, Feel Better” program for women undergoing cancer treatment providing them with resources to maintain their appearance.

Volunteers visit patients at Valley bearing goodie bags of resources for them.

They also have information about support groups in the area.

“It’s very rewarding,” said Slothower. “I volunteer also at Renton City Hall, but it’s a whole different type of satisfaction that you get here. Because, it’s a more personal thing where you’re actually helping one on one usually.”

The Cancer Resource Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The center is looking for more volunteers. For more information call 425-656-4002.