By Allen Howard
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Each week, 53 volunteers go to the Discovery Shop Inc. in Deer Park to help fight cancer.

The shop is operated by the American Cancer Society and all proceeds go to fight cancer.

Some of the volunteers are cancer survivors. Some have relatives or friends who have had cancer or are now fighting the disease.

Rochelle Morton of Finneytown started volunteering when her brother, Charles Cooper, was diagnosed with cancer.

"He is a cancer survivor. Once I started volunteering, I couldn't stop because I believe we as volunteers can make a difference."

Morton goes to the shop every Saturday. She is vice president of education and youth development for the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati.

Since the Discovery Shop opened in 2000, it has netted $252,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Cathy Westrich, shop manager, said it has recently rented space next door to the shop at 4081 E. Galbraith Road that was used as a dry cleaners to expand another 1,900 square feet.

"This space will be used primarily for our furniture store," Westrich said. She said everything in the store is donated, and donors get a receipt for a tax deduction.

"We have just about everything in the store: antique beds, dining room tables, dressers, pictures, picture frames, mirrors, jewelry, shoes, collectibles, chinaware, accessories and floral arrangements," she said.

She said donated items come from individuals and stores, and some are left over from estate sales.

"Clothing should be new or gently worn. It must be looked at and approved by someone at the shop," Westrich said.

The shop is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10-7 Wednesday, 10-4 Saturday.

Most volunteers work four hours a week selling, sorting and pricing merchandise. To volunteer, call 891-8343.

E-mail ahoward@enquirer.com