Volunteer Spotlight: Sharon Anderson

Volunteers make the work the Living Beyond Breast Cancer staff does every day possible. From in-office support to event staffing and peer helpline calls, people like you help us strive toward our vision of a world where no one with breast cancer feels uninformed or alone.

To celebrate the people who devote so much of their time to LBBC’s programs and resources we’ve started Volunteer Spotlight, a series to share more about who they are and why they do what they do.

Sharon Anderson, from Houston, Texas, is one of our Hear My Voice volunteers.

What’s your favorite thing about volunteering in your community?

By volunteering in my community, I see growth and change. I can actually watch growth in the community and people I volunteer with or share with over time. This reinforces my own sense of worthiness and vitality in what I do. There's nothing more fulfilling than realizing how much of an impact you can make by volunteering.

Just a few minutes of sharing my story or handing out valuable breast cancer literature can turn into a lifetime of opportunity, which is one of the greatest benefits of volunteering. Volunteer opportunities often allow me to try new activities or learn new skills. After working on a volunteer project for a few weeks, it's not uncommon for me to exchange phone numbers or social media information. By giving just a few hours a week, lifetime friendships are made.

What’s the most unique volunteer activity you’ve ever done?

The most unique volunteer activity that I have ever done was driving to underprivileged areas in the METAvivor RV to spread cancer awareness and hand out literature. African Americans are dying from metastatic breast cancer at a higher rate than any other race. The satisfaction and pride that comes from reaching people in these areas are exceptionally important reasons for me to volunteer. When you commit your time and effort to an organization or a cause you feel strongly about, the feeling of fulfillment can be endless.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

One fun fact about myself is that I can find humor even when faced with death. I find that keeping my sense of humor and continuing to live my life as I would if I was healthy is very important.

When you’re not volunteering, what are people likely to find you doing?

When I am not volunteering I can probably be found doing something silly or adventurous with my youngest daughter. She keeps me in trouble.

Thank you to Sharon Anderson and all of our volunteers. If you would like to volunteer for LBBC, visit our page on volunteering.