Ilene
Volunteering can be contagious, especially when a friend tells a friend about their experiences. Such was the case with Ilene, who has volunteered at Michelle’s Place for almost three years. Her friend Lorie McDaniel, a survivor and Michelle’s Place volunteer told her about Michelle’s Place and how the organization was helping women in the community going through treatment for breast cancer.

“It piqued my interest,” says Ilene. “My mom was a breast cancer survivor and I knew many other women who had gone through breast cancer. This was the right time for me to get involved in the community as I was no longer working full-time.”

Ilene has found her niche at Michelle’s Place volunteering for health fairs, Christmas gift wrapping, the annual Spring Fling fundraiser and this year’s Halloween bash.

“I enjoy working health fairs the most because I love talking about Michelle’s Place to people at the fairs. They are very receptive to us because everyone can relate to breast cancer.”

Ilene has worked as a substitute teacher in the area and returned to Cal State San Marcus to achieve her goal of graduating and earning a college degree in Sociology and Political Science. She has been married 32 years to her husband, Woody, and they have one daughter.

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