04/23/2026
We're grateful for our volunteers everyday! In honor of Volunteer Week, we want to highlight a story very dear to us.
Ryan began volunteering as a freshman in Spring 2023 when he met Jean at the Cayuga Cancer Center's East Campus. As a former Cornell Biological Engineering professor and a Biomedical Engineering student, the two bonded over their shared interests and love for science.
But Ryan and Jean's friendship didn't stop there! He continued to visit Jean throughout her treatments, even getting lunch outside of the clinic some days. Last fall, Jean wrote Ryan a letter of recommendation that got him admitted to the University of Pennsylvania's Cancer Biology PhD program.
"Jean is one of the kindest, most interesting people I know," says Ryan. "Meeting her is one of the best experiences I’ve had."
To Ryan, and to all of our volunteers, THANK YOU! Your kindness and dedication truly make a difference in the lives of our community members.