NORFOLK, Va. — Veterans Day is this Saturday, and a Hampton Roads nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people live with cancer took time Wednesday to honor a very special group of volunteers.
Lee's Friends' primary mission for the past 44 years has been to offer help and emotional and practical support like rides to doctors' appointments to cancer patients and their families.
They work with patients of all ages and stages from diagnosis to cure or through death and bereavement. All services are free.
"It's tough stuff," said Carol Olsen, Lee's Friends' Executive Director. It's not always a happy ending. But it's very rewarding."
The nonprofit said they couldn't do it without the support of dedicated volunteers, many of whom are military veterans.
At Wednesday's luncheon, Lee's Friends thanked their veteran volunteers with the group's annual Legacy Award.
"It brings me great satisfaction to help people in need," said Army veteran retired Lieutenant Colonel Doug McLiverty. "That makes me feel a sense of joy inside that I did something good to help somebody else who's suffering."
Navy veteran retired Lieutenant Commander Keri Upton said: "I think as military people we've always been trained; you always take care of your people. You share the common bond, and I don't think that every leaves you."
The first recipient of the Legacy award was former 13 News Now meteorologist Crystal Harper, who shared with viewers her courageous journey through Hodgkin's lymphoma.
She is now Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Harper, living her best life, this month celebrating five years of being cancer-free.
In 2022, the nonprofit provided more than 1,000 rides, and gave 415 grants totaling $96,000.