Brotherly Love: Group Volunteers Support To Cancer Patients
By Ukee Washington
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Cancer is not only painful, it's often lonely. A Philadelphia man is reaching out to cancer patients to give them some good cheer. He and fellow volunteers hope patients can forget about cancer for just a little while and even adopt a saying: "Cancer who?"
Robin Scott of Gloucester Township had just returned from a vacation last fall when her doctor gave her the news.
"The biopsy was positive. I still didn't believe her," Robin said.
Robin had breast cancer. As she went through surgery and was preparing for chemo, she found an Instagram page called "Cancer Who?" Its founder is Al Harris.
"I just don't want to have no one with cancer feeling alone or without," Al said.
Al, his wife Marjani Harris, and other volunteers visit patients like Robin on their own time, bringing cheer, sometimes even cake. Al and Marjani themselves have had family members with cancer.
"I'll just say it's tough, and every bit of support is vital," Marjani said.
"I'm like the relief guy," Al said. "I'm just there to listen so she can talk to me and I can see what's going on. Nothing special. just there to listen and be her ear."
On this day, Al and Marjani joined Robin for her last scheduled chemo treatment at Penn Medicine Virtua Cancer Program in Voorhees. Dr. Carlos Madamba knows how much support can help a patient.
"It's very important for her to have somebody she can lean on," Dr. Madamba said.
When chemo is finished, Robin will have a series of radiation treatments. Al will be there.
"I consider him a brother," Robin said.
For Al, this is strictly volunteer work. Sales of t-shirts and other clothing with the "Cancer Who?" saying help fund trips, gifts, and more for cancer patients.
"Hopefully we can grow to be a lot bigger and help a lot more people with cancer," Al said.
There's a "Cancer Who?" weekend event coming up in May: a comedy show Friday, May 13; a kickball tournament Saturday, May 14; and an honor awards ceremony featuring Robin and other patients on Sunday, May 15. For details, click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-cancer-who-weekend-presented-by-team-overtime-tickets-23024748643
The 1st Annual CANCER Who? Weekend presented by Team OverTime
"Let's enjoy the MEMORIES"
May 13th 2016
CANCER Who? Comedy Show
Presented by: TuRae and Friends
@ Champagne Cafe
Show starts at 7pm
21 E Chelten ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Tickets: $25
May 14th 2016
CANCER Who? Kicking CANCER Around KICKBALL TOURNAMENT
Presented by: Modells
@ Shepard Recreation Center
Games Starr at 12 pm
5700 Haverford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
May 15th 2016
Team OverTime and CANCER Who? Honors Award Ceremony
Presented by: A5
Honoring: Delores King and Robin Scott
@ Champagne Cafe
Ceremony starts at 4pm
21 E Chelten ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Tickets: $20
Food: Chicken and Waffles
Tickets available at
cancerwhoweekend.eventbrite.com
For more info contact
Al Harris: 267-579-6851
Marjani Harris: 267-235-4166
Cancerwhoshop.com
