Offering chemotherapy patients a welcome change of scenery from their rooms, volunteers and dietary staff at the USC/Norris Cancer Hospital have established a new Friday tradition:  afternoon tea.

As part of the 16-month-old program volunteers deliver personally printed invitations to patients on the third and fourth floors, inviting them to spend some time with family, friends and their fellow patients.  The visitors' rooms offer a cozy, genial atmosphere as well as china, linen tablecloths, teapots, fresh flowers, cookies and music. 

Marta Shand, food nutrition director at the hospital, said the weekly program is run as a collaboration between USC/Norris Dietary Services and Volunteer Services.

Shand said that the first few times they hosted the event, staff members were unsure whether anyone would attend.  But almost immediately they found themselves in a room packed with people. 

She notes that cancer patients rarely leave their rooms except for treatment and that the new program offers a welcome respite.   Now, each Friday around 3 p.m., patients - some with I.GV. poles at their sides - mingle and enjoy tea and snacks with family and friends. 

The tradition was the brainchild of Alicia Syres and Marta Shand.  With the help of a USC senior psychology major, a hospital volunteer, and donations from the USC/Norris Auxiliary, the plan to help comfort patients and families came to fruition. 

The program now has three volunteers who host the weekly event.  Volunteers interested in assisting the program may call Alicia Syres, director of volunteer services at 323.865.3169.