An angel's work

When Betty Cornette started volunteering at the Cancer Center at Valdese Hospital, she wondered what she would say to patients battling cancer.
"I was worried about what words of encouragement I could offer," Cornette said.
In her heart and in her mind, though, Cornette heard God telling her, "Don't worry about encouraging them. That's up to Me. I just want you to love them."
And that's what she does. She carries a key chain saying, "An angel's work is never done." Her late ex-sister-in-law, who died of cancer, gave it to Cornette. When Cornette is unsure of what to say, she puts her hand in her pocket and touches it.
"She's always with me and she helps guide me in what to say," Cornette said. "I just try to show I love them in little ways. I tell them to have a good day. I try to make them smile."
One patient who comes every Wednesday has been a challenge for Cornette.
"He's usually very quiet. He never eats, but he's there for a few hours," she said.
For Halloween, Cornette dressed up as a character called "Sally" who can't speak very plainly so her name comes out as "Sowee."
"I was determined to put a smile on his face," she said. "I went up to him and he started smiling and then he started laughing. That just made it worthwhile for me."
As Sowee, Cornette passed out treat bags to all the medical oncology patients receiving treatment on Wednesday. She provided bags for radiation oncology patients on Friday. Each bag was filled with candy and items such as deodorant, soap, lotions and shampoo.
"She went to quite a bit of expense to fix these bags," said Karen Clark, the Cancer Center's front-office coordinator. "She goes above and beyond for our patients."
Dora Vaught, a receptionist at the Cancer Center, said, "Betty is very sweet and she makes the patients feel welcome. She's very special. I just love her."
Cornette already has other projects in mind. Soon she's going to purchase smiley balloons and attach them to all the chairs.
"I'm already working on Christmas," she added.
Her regular duties include handing out dinner menus or magazines, getting patients something to drink, etc.
"I try to make the patient as comfortable as possible," she said. "The most important thing is to let them know they are loved."
Her faith plays a big role in why she volunteers.
"God spoke to me and told me where to go," Cornette said. "I had no education in cancer or health care. I kept putting it off. I prayed about it and opened my heart. I just walked into the Cancer Center and went up to the desk and told them what I wanted to do."
Glenda Walters, an office assistant, happened to be at the desk when Cornette came in.
She recalled, "'God has given me a mission,' Cornette said. And it just so happened that the Cancer Center had been looking for a volunteer to help out."
"It all just clicked and fell into place," Cornette said. "I knew I had done what God wanted me to do."
Since that day, Walters calls Cornette "Angel" and still thinks she was heaven-sent.
Gail Lowman, an office coordinator, said, "Words can't express what it means just to see the smiles she puts on our patients' faces. Her attitude is phenomenal."
Cornette found out that volunteering in a cancer center is not always a happy thing. One patient with whom she played cards regularly passed away recently.
"But you will never see negativity in that place," Cornette said. "The staff is the greatest group of people you have ever seen. There's great teamwork. They bless me every day."
God may have been looking to her future, too, because Cornette says she has a brother who now faces cancer.
"I know he is in good hands here," she said. "I love these people. They are so positive, and they have so much encouragement in them.
"I only work four hours a day and those patients are on my mind in the morning and after I leave. It takes a special person to work here."
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities at any Blue Ridge HealthCare facility, call Susan Pollpeter, director of volunteer services, at 580-5483.

Anna Wilson works with Blue Ridge HealthCare in regional marketing and public relations.