Sometimes a bad day needs an intervention from someone who knows what it's like to walk the same path.

That's what Violet Townsend, an eight-year breast cancer survivor, needed. She found it by meeting other survivors at the University of Toledo's Center for Health and Successful Living.

Ms. Townsend, a clerical specialist at the University of Toledo, was among several survivors who were celebrated Friday at a tailgate-style party in the university's Health and Human Services building.

The Center for Health and Successful Living opened two years ago under the direction of Amy Thompson and Tim Jordan, who volunteer their time to the program and serve as co-directors. The center started with a focus on breast cancer survivors, offering them education, services, financial assistance, and support, but has begun to include other cancer survivors and those dealing with chronic illnesses.

Since the center opened its doors, volunteers — it’s staffed by students and faculty across several fields of study — have educated more than 5,000 people, offered screenings to about 400 people, and provided services to hundreds more, Ms. Thompson said.

“One of the things we focus on is improving the lives of survivors and their families,” Ms. Thompson said.

Ms. Thompson and Mr. Jordan said they believe the center is the first of its kind in the country, in that students are providing various services including counseling, social-work services, personalized exercise programs, nutrition counseling, legal services, and health and wellness counseling.

Jessica Schulte, a UT student working on a master’s degree in public health, is an intern at the center who has facilitated a partnership with That Neighborhood Free Health Clinic in North Toledo. Twice a week, students who work with the center visit the clinic and meet with patients.

Ms. Schulte said the program has been very successful and has built important relationships with people who need help. 

There, she and other student health coaches have focused on patients with, or at risk of developing, diabetes and hypertension.

When her internship ends at the semester’s end, Ms. Schulte said she plans to continue her volunteer work at the center.

“I enjoy it,” she said. “I really do. Any way that I can help other people and use my education that I've been working hard to get.”

Contact Taylor Dungjen at tdungjen@theblade.com, or 419-724-6054, or on Twitter @taylordungjen.

First Published November 28, 2015, 5:00 a.m.