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Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is dedicated to reducing human suffering. No matter what role they fill, everyone who walks the halls of Huntsman Cancer Institute is determined to provide exceptional care to the patients and families whom they serve.
One very important component of this effort is the amazing work of Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation volunteers. These volunteers make an impact in many ways, from providing art projects for patients to providing water for fundraisers at a marathon.
25 Years of Service
Cheryl Gentle has volunteered at Huntsman Cancer Institute for over 25 years—starting in January 2000, not long after the Jon M. Huntsman Cancer Research Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute was dedicated and patient clinics were opened. Her husband was in pulmonary rehab after receiving a lung transplant, and Cheryl wanted to find a way to help while spending time on the University of Utah campus.
Cheryl, a breast cancer survivor herself, was a registered nurse for over 40 years and even worked part-time as a nurse at Huntsman Cancer Institute while still volunteering each week in infusion.
“It’s so important to give back, and Huntsman Cancer Institute is the perfect place for that.”
—Cheryl Gentle
“When I retired 10 years ago, I continued my volunteerism with many other organizations as well. You could say I’m a ‘professional volunteer,’” Cheryl says. “It’s so important to give back, and Huntsman Cancer Institute is the perfect place for that. Watching each new building and service evolve over 25 years has been amazing.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers weren’t able to go to Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Cheryl found it difficult to stay away.
“Part of my family was missing and coming back was exciting,” she says. “I'll keep coming as long as they’ll let me.”
Making an Impact Through Art
Jamie Covington volunteered at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, where she was introduced to art wellness for cancer patients. In 2019, she moved to Salt Lake City and began volunteering at Huntsman Cancer Institute, where she founded the Art to Go program.
The Art to Go program is run through the Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness and Integrative ǿմý Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute and supported by volunteers. It provides small art projects for patients and caregivers, and volunteers guide them through the project on the infusion floors. Art packets are also available for both outpatients and inpatients upon request.
“Patients often use words like joy, fun, wonderful, lovely, delightful...Those aren’t words you typically hear when speaking of cancer treatment, and I love that somehow Art to Go has made such a meaningful impact on their time.”
—Jamie Covington
“I wanted to bring the gift of art wellness with me,” Jamie says. “After approaching Huntsman Cancer Institute leadership with my ideas and experience, I was given support and open doors. It all started with just me and my art cart.”
The Art to Go program has since grown, with Jamie now managing a team of volunteers. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Jamie was able to extend the program's reach to include not only outpatients but also inpatients. She is currently working on extending the reach to Huntsman Cancer Institute staff.
“Patients often use words like joy, fun, wonderful, lovely, delightful, and a great distraction to describe their experience with Art to Go,” Jamie says. “Those aren’t words you typically hear when speaking of cancer treatment, and I love that somehow Art to Go has made such a meaningful impact on their time. I didn’t do that—the art experience did.”
A Visit from a Pair of Therapy Horses
Some volunteers even come in the furriest and smallest of sizes—like Rhett and Royal.
Rhett and Royal, 9-year-old half-brothers, are miniature horses who work on site at Strides Pediatric Therapy. Strides is an outpatient clinic for children that provides a variety of therapy options, including occupational, physical, speech, mental health, and recreational therapy.
The Strides team was connected with Chris Moss, a customer service supervisor at Huntsman Cancer Institute, through an acquaintance and were asked if they would be willing to bring Rhett and Royal for a visit. Now Rhett and Royal, along with a four-member team, including Strides owner Elizabeth Lebrecht, have been volunteering at Huntsman Cancer Institute for over a year. Elizabeth is joined by two of her daughters, Marley Lebrecht Juarez and Grace Lebrecht. Strides Clinical Director Kacie Preysz makes up the fourth member of their volunteer team.
“It is an honor to be able to provide a tiny moment of joy in someone's day.”
—Elizabeth Lebrecht
“We try to visit Huntsman Cancer Institute as often as we are needed and we were able to make eight visits in our first year,” Elizabeth says. “This is a ‘heart project’ for all of us.”
Elizabeth’s other daughter, Maranda, was treated for stage 4 lymphoma at Huntsman Cancer Institute in 2014. Now, Maranda is a physician assistant at Huntsman Cancer Institute, working with outpatient bone marrow transplants. Kacie’s father is also a patient at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“It is a privilege to be able to give back in a small way to a place that has given us so much,” Elizabeth says. “We know from personal experience how everyone at Huntsman Cancer Institute goes above and beyond for their patients, and we also know how hard so many moments in a cancer story can be. Some people want a picture with a very tiny horse, but most people just want a hug. It is an honor to be able to provide a tiny moment of joy in someone's day.”
Fueling Cancer Research on the Course
Some volunteers aren’t at the Huntsman Cancer Institute campus at all.
Tonya Howard has been volunteering for Huntsman Cancer Foundation for over a decade. Her husband, Jason, began running with the Huntsman Heroes team in 2008, and she started volunteering soon after that. It has become a family tradition.
“We started dragging our kids along with us when they were still young and continue to invite them along now that they are grown,” Tonya says. “Our family has helped out with many different events, including handing out flyers at a local rodeo, walking a parade route, marathon water stops, and Huntsman SportsFest.”
Huntsman Heroes is a program that brings together individuals dedicated to going the extra mile to eradicate cancer. The program has a running team and cycling team who, through and other partner events, raise money for Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“Being a part of the Huntsman Heroes is amazing,” Tonya says. “The level of commitment and dedication from the runners and cyclists is incredible. They are like family and always make me feel welcome.”
Tonya and Jason’s daughter, Katja, has volunteered with Tonya at many events, even bringing along her friends and cousins. Katja joined the Huntsman Heroes running team at just 8 years old in 2012, when she and her father were on Katja’s Cans for Cancer team. Now, she is in her second season on the Huntsman Heroes cycling team.
“Getting involved is easy. There are always volunteer opportunities. You can join one of the fundraising teams. Donations can be given to event participants or directly to the foundation. I would encourage you to find an athlete to support.”
—Tonya Howard
Tonya’s primary volunteer work is at the Saturday morning Huntsman Heroes training runs during the winter and acting as a team lead at the Bluffdale feed zone for the 140-mile cycling ride at Huntsman SportsFest.
Huntsman SportsFest is an annual event where community members come together to cycle, walk, run, and scavenger hunt in pursuit of a cure for cancer. While fundraising is not required to participate, 100% of funds raised go toward Huntsman Cancer Institute’s breakthrough research, treatment, and prevention efforts. This year’s Huntsman SportsFest is set for June 14.
“Getting involved is easy,” Tonya says. “There are always volunteer opportunities. You can join one of the fundraising teams. Donations can be given to event participants or directly to the foundation. I would encourage you to find an athlete to support. Jason and Katja are both actively raising funds.”
Tonya says the main reason her husband, Jason, chose to fundraise for Huntsman Cancer Foundation was that he knew every dollar raised would go toward research at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“It is awesome to see how much money is raised each year for cancer research,” Tonya says. “I am in awe of the research, developments, and advancements in treatment that Huntsman Cancer Institute accomplishes every year. They are committed to curing this horrible disease.”
The work of Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation volunteers is a key part of this commitment as they continue to bring help and hope to those affected by cancer.
Learn more about the volunteer opportunities at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation. To sign up as a volunteer for this year’s Huntsman SportsFest on June 13 and 14, visit the .
The critical research happening every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute is supported by the National Institutes of ǿմý/National Cancer Institute, including cancer center support grant P30 CA042014, as well as Huntsman Cancer Foundation.