Florida couple honored for years of volunteer work supporting cancer patients

Bill and Eileen Henthorne, a retired couple from North Palm Beach, Florida, have spent over a decade volunteering at the Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope, helping cancer patients and their families with essential needs and emotional support. Their story began years ago at Bowling Green State University, where Eileen was a librarian and Bill was a student.”I was at Bowling Green State University. I was a librarian, and he was a student. That became very annoying,” Eileen said, laughing. The couple has been married for 44 years, though Bill joked, “You have a calculator,” before adding, “It’s 44 years, but I won’t swear to it.” Even in retirement, the Henthornes spend most of their time together volunteering at the Cancer Alliance.”Try to keep all the boys’ clothes together and all the girls’ clothes together,” Eileen said, describing their work. Their efforts include organizing donations of clothes, toys and everyday essentials for patients and families, all provided free of charge.”Let’s see toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenexes,” Bill said, listing items they help distribute. For the Henthornes, volunteering is a labor of love. “It’s not work, we don’t consider it that,” Bill said. “It just tears your heart out, what they’re going through. And any way we can help. Some of these over there have no other avenue to go to for help. So that’s what makes it special.” The Alliance also provides financial support to help patients pay a portion of their bills. Sometimes, the most meaningful contribution is simply spending time with those in need. “I was playing with one of the little kids on the floor. We were putting together a fire truck, and we were playing with it on the floor, and you’re thinking that it’s the mom and dad that are getting help, but it was the little kid I was playing with, so that was nice,” Bill said. Eileen even started a free wig program at the Alliance, donating her own wig to launch the initiative.”It’s so good to see them smile. They’ll put on the wigs and take a look at them. They just glow. They’re so happy,” she said. The couple’s connection to the cause is deeply personal, as both are cancer survivors.”I have prostate radiation therapy for two months, that was a couple years ago, came out good. She has skin cancer,” Bill said.Eileen added, “I finished some chemo treatments I was getting, and I’m done with that now. So, just hope everything stays fine.” Recently, the Henthornes were surprised with a special honor for their contributions.”Oh, pleased to meet you. Congratulations on becoming a Community Champion,” Bill said after being recognized. Guardians Credit Union, the new sponsor of the Community Champion Program, presented the couple with a check to celebrate their work.”Bill and Eileen are an inspiration. You have so many great nominations for Community Champion, and theirs rose to the top,” a representative said. Reflecting on the recognition, Bill said, “A bunch of people coming down the stairs. I’m like, it’s not for us. That was very surprising. Very rewarding. Glad that we can give back even more.” Both Bill and Eileen have milestone birthdays this year, with Bill turning 70 and Eileen turning 80. In true fashion, they donated the check right back to the Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.