The American Cancer Society does a lot of programs for those suffering from cancer, but it is only able to do so by the geronosity and dedication of its many volunteers.

"The American Cancer Society is the largest voluntary health organization in the unites states, we rely heavily on volunteers," Health Promotor Erin Zastrow says.

And Dr. Douglas Reding is one of those volunteers. He's a Hematology Oncologist at the Marshfield Clinic and has been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society for 19 years. He was recently awarded the St. George National Award for his years of contribution.

"It's an oppurtunity to further serve the patients I see on a day to day basis who come to me for medical treatment," Redding says.

He's helped in various activities like the relay for life, The Hope Lodge in Marshfield, and national committees for health promotion and education for cancer patients. He says his experiences growing up helped him pick his passion.

"I grew up on a farm in iowa so the motivation of if there are occupational exposures, is there something about rural populations that we need to explore, i think that is what got me to the american cancer association."

A health promotions associate at the Wausau branch for the American Cancer Society says you don't have to be a doctor to lend a hand. "We really work with individuals to find out what there interests are, what there skills are, what there background is, to get them matched up in the organization," Erin Zastrow says.

Zastrow says that they have done some creative things to make sure their volunteers placed where they will not only be most productive, but also the happiest.

She says, "Some individuals really want to work with breast cancer awareness education, they've had creative ideas to outreach to salons so we've worked with a group in the community to outreach breast cancer messages to salon."

Zastrow says no matter where your heart lies they have a spot for those interested. "You name it, if you have an interest in an area we can plug you in somewhere in the American Cancer Society."

The American Cancer Society will be holding a Relay For Life in Merril on August 8th, and in Tomahawk on August 15th.