Volunteers at the Upstate Cancer Center staff a cart full of comfort items that they make available to outpatients and inpatients. A Kobalt tool cart was purchased with donations from Lowe's Home Improvement Store and Room 2 Smile, an organization started by Brandon Spillett, of Syracuse, after his father, Daniel, died in 2005. Voss Signs wrapped the cart with a large vinyl decal so that the cart blends in with the center‘s theme of nature. Spillett is an Upstate volunteer.

On top of the cart: Cancer Care magazine, brochures about services at the Upstate Cancer Center.

Top drawer: lip balm, hand sanitizer, personal tissue packs, blank greeting cards, toothbrush-and-toothpaste packs and mouthwash.

Second drawer: American Cancer Society information and referral forms for various services the society makes available.

Third drawer: decks of playing cards, Crazy 8‘s and Go Fish, plus paperback sudoku and crossword puzzle books.

Fourth drawer: small water bottles, hand lotion, throat lozenges

Bottom drawer: a dozen Kindles, loaded with periodicals, to lend to patients.

This article appears in the summer 2015 issue of Cancer Care magazine.