From First Responder to Trusted Guide
After a distinguished 35-year career as a Los Angeles County firefighter, Jack Hunter retired, but not from service. Helping others had always defined his life, and he soon realized that calling did not end with retirement.
In 2004, Jack became a City of Hope® patient, receiving treatment for prostate cancer. The compassion and care he experienced left a lasting impact — one that reshaped his future.
The Start of a Volunteer Career
Motivated by gratitude and a deep desire to give back, Jack began volunteering at City of Hope in 2005. From the start, he was all in. When early morning long volunteer shifts went unfilled, Jack stepped up — often working eight-hour shifts twice a week to ensure patients were never without support.
A Survivor Supporting Survivors
One of Jack’s primary roles has been wayfinding; welcoming and escorting new patients to their appointments. As a cancer survivor, he understands the fear and uncertainty many patients carry.
“I try to make people feel more relaxed,” Jack said. “[I tell people] ‘You are in a good place, you really are.'”
As a cancer survivor, he understands patients’ fears and uncertainties. Jack offers reassurance, empathy, and hope — providing the comfort he once needed himself. His bond with City of Hope grew even stronger when he returned as a patient for the second time in 2009 for treatment of a parathyroid disorder, further reinforcing his trust in the mission and the community.
On occasion Jack shares his own cancer journey with patients as he escorts them around. “Every once in a while, I’ll tell them that I was a patient here, twice…[City of Hope] did a fantastic job.”
Moments That Matter Most
Over the years, Jack has found joy not only in seeing patients return healthier, but also in the moments when they recognize him from a previous visit. Those connections — brief yet meaningful — are reminders of the profound difference one volunteer can make.
When offered the opportunity to volunteer closer to home in Corona, Jack declined without hesitation. As he simply puts it, “City of Hope Duarte is my home.”
Legacy of Service and Heart
Perhaps Jack says it best himself:
“I feel better after each shift than when I started, knowing I made a difference in someone’s life. It means a lot to me to be a volunteer for City of Hope.”
National Volunteer Month
As Jack celebrates 20 years and 9,000+ hours of dedicated service, City of Hope and the City of Duarte are holding a ceremony to honor him with a proclamation for his service.
Every act of generosity moves our mission forward. More than 25,000 volunteers across the country give their time, talent and heart to City of Hope each year.