By June Mathews
In 1999, breast cancer patient Jan Bolla saw a need and set out to meet it.
Through her own experience, she realized that women newly diagnosed with breast cancer would benefit from interacting with women like her who had traveled the same road.
Spurred on by her motto, “Do not waste your journey, and leave a legacy behind,” Bolla worked with Madeline Harris, nurse coordinator at the UAB Breast Health Center, to assess specific needs and formulate a plan. Then they began to identify potential helpers.
An invitation to become involved went out to 89 women; 51 of those women responded. In March 2000, 30 women trained for volunteer service, and the Angel Squad was born. Bolla served as the group’s first president.
Today, the 27 members of the Angel Squad operate as part of UAB Volunteer Services, volunteering in the Breast Health Center and Mammography at the Kirklin Clinic. Dedicated to providing hope, comfort and compassionate care to breast cancer patients, their families and their caregivers, the Angel Squad members, as a group, volunteer more than 2,000 hours per year.
Sheila Smith of Vestavia joined the Angel Squad after retiring 10 years ago. As a 15-year survivor of breast cancer, she was once the beneficiary of the Angel Squad’s kindness. It was only natural that she would want to extend the same care to others.
“They were very kind to me when I had breast cancer, so I wanted to help them and give back,” she said. “Every time I visit with a patient in our clinics, I receive a greater blessing than I give, and it is so humbling to see how appreciative our patients are of the services we provide.”
Services include providing snacks, juice and coffee to patients and their families while they’re in the clinic for tests and doctors’ appointments; listening to patients as they share their fears and concerns; passing out hugs and words of encouragement; talking with patients about self-care during treatment and addressing their individual needs; and providing tote bags packed with heart-shaped pillows and gift bags on the day newly diagnosed patients receive their treatment plan from their team of doctors.
Gifts of Hearts
The heart-shaped pillows, Smith said, are made by a group of women at Asbury United Methodist Church.
“The pillow is a great comfort under your seat belt during treatments and after surgery,” Smith said. “The seat belt fits perfectly in the ‘V’ at the top of the pillow, which keeps the belt off tender treatment sites. It can also be used under the patient’s arm to protect tender areas there. One grandmother shared with us that she used the pillow against her chest so she could snuggle with her grandchildren.”
Another important function of the Angel Squad is promoting breast cancer awareness at every opportunity.
“And everywhere we go we encourage women to get their mammograms,” Smith said. “Early detection saves lives.”
The group recently participated in a Health and Wellness Fair at Saint James Missionary Baptist Church, and two members will soon appear on ABC 33/40’s Talk of Alabama to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Oct. 10, the Angel Squad will appear with Russell Jones on Good Day Alabama to talk about a Breast Cancer Awareness Month promotion in partnership with the Brighton store at The Summit.
“Brighton Jewelry is a national supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness,” Smith said. “Each year, the company designs a bracelet to sell at the Power of Pink promotion in October, and each Brighton store selects a local organization to partner with during the promotion. The Brighton store at The Summit has selected the Angel Squad for many years.”
Other community partners include Jim N’ Nick’s, which donates a portion of the proceeds from designated gift card sales, and Jeffrey Machine. Jeff Sager, the owner of Jeffrey Machine, lost his wife to breast cancer and is now married to a breast cancer survivor.
Bolla lost her battle with breast cancer in July 2009, but her legacy lives on.
“We honor Jan every year by awarding the Jan Bolla Volunteer of the Year Award to one Angel Squad member,” Smith said. “We will never forget Jan for organizing the Angel Squad and for her service.”
