MONTREAL- For the last three and a half years, Marvin Rusk and Peggy Emslie have had a standing date.
Every Wednesday, they leave their spouses behind, meet for lunch, and spend some time with cancer patients.
As volunteers with Hope and Cope, a program responding to the psychosocial needs of cancer patients at the Jewish General Hospital, Rusk and Emslie make sure those afflicted with the disease have what they need – a little cheering up.
"No one's like us," laughs Rusk.
With such a strong bond between Rusk and Emslie, patients naturally assume they're married.
"We tell them, ‘Yeah we are married, but just not to each other,'" said Rusk, a comment Emslie echoes.
"It's like Mutt and Jeff kind of thing, you know? It's just one of these things that just happened," explained Rusk.
It's a weekly commitment they've grown to love.
"They can't get rid of me that easily," joked Emslie.
Both cancer survivors, after their treatments, each decided to give back by volunteering. Emslie started first, and then trained Rusk, and the pair clicked. They soon became Hope and Cope's only team.
"They just bring a ray of sunshine to a patient that's spending a lot of time in a hospital room," said Hope and Cope coordinator Hinda Goodman.
Their successful battles with cancer provide hope to others. Patients said the attention they give and the hope they offer is priceless.
"They talk about cancer, how to get depression out of your mind, talk better, and to have a cure," said patient Dandy Jimana.
Emslie said patients seem to enjoy the dynamic between the positive pair.
"I think the patients like seeing the interaction between the two of us… we've got a bit of a sense of humour that clicks," she said.
Their energy brings smiles across the cancer ward, said Goodman
"Peggy and Marvin have a special relationship with the patients, with the staff. They're just fun," she said.
The patients and staff may enjoy the visits, but Rusk and Emslie seem to get a lot back in return.
"Some of them… are in severe pain and somehow they seem to put a smile on their faces and talk to us," said Rusk.
"This is inspiring – it's inspiring," said Emslie.
