Moffitt Celebrates Its Volunteers

More than 20 years after battling ovarian cancer, Pat Grossman still roams the halls of Moffitt Cancer Center. She’s been a volunteer in the surgical waiting room since 2014. During the past five years, she’s logged nearly 3,200 service hours helping patients and their loved ones before and after surgery.

As a cancer survivor, Grossman knows what it’s like to be in the patient’s position and her compassion brings comfort to many patients and their families. She also brings in candy and decorates for every holiday. Though she’s only scheduled to volunteer twice a week, she comes in more often to substitute for volunteers who couldn’t make it in. The team jokes that the only day Grossman said she couldn’t volunteer was when there was a cat convention in town.

Grossman’s dedication was honored when Moffitt named her this year’s Pat Oakes Volunteer of the Year at its annual Volunteer Appreciation event earlier this month. The theme was “Show Your Team Spirit.” Guests were asked to wear their clothing from their favorite sporting team, and Thunderbug, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s mascot, greeted them as they arrived.

In addition to the Volunteer of the Year, Moffitt recognized the Student Volunteer of the Year, as well as Pepin Academies, MacDonald Training Center and Big Brothers Big Sisters School to Work programs that provide volunteers. Multiple volunteers also received recognition in several sports-themed categories.

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