From compassion to action

It’s said that those who can, do; and those who can do more, volunteer.

This statement represents the 15,000 registered volunteers and 1,800 Hospital Auxiliary members who donate hundreds of thousands of hours every year throughout Alberta Health Services (AHS).

They help with recreational activities, meet and greet patients and families, assist in homes, operate hospital gift shops, provide palliative care and grief support, and much more.

“We appreciate all that volunteers do,” says Angie Harwood, an AHS vice-president in Human Resources.  “Whether it’s on the front lines or behind the scenes, our volunteers positively contribute to a patient’s experience.”

And they contribute in ways many people might not expect.

At the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, 10 “master gardener” volunteers oversee the care and maintenance of the facility’s outdoor Healing Gardens, as part of a horticultural therapy program. Pruning, weeding, transplanting perennials and tidying garden areas are typical volunteer tasks during the spring and summer. During the winter, the volunteers care for indoor plants that are used for patient therapy sessions.

Volunteer Susanna Walsh says children are the best part of donating her time as a gardener.

“You can see in their eyes that they like it,” says Walsh. “You get to put some joy in someone’s life. And I love plants.  Put two and two together, what more do you need?” 

In Edmonton, Deenar Dhanji uses her holistic training to support inpatients in the Cross Cancer Institute. The Compassionate Touch Program, which started three years ago, is a complimentary service provided by seven volunteer practitioners who use techniques such as Reiki, Healing Touch and Qi Gong to make patients feel better.

“Volunteering with Compassionate Touch is really rewarding,” says Dhanji. “You can see a difference. When I see clients again, they comment how this program is helping with their recovery.”

At the Innisfail Health Centre, Sharleen Hiron volunteers at the lab and X-ray department where she greets patients and keeps them company while they wait.

Many patients know her by name. 

“Meeting the patients, helping them and helping the lab staff is very rewarding,” says Hiron. “I am always being thanked but the rewards I receive far outweigh the job that I do.”

Donna Carter, AHS senior lead of Volunteer Resources, says the work of individuals such as Walsh, Dhanji and Hiron enriches the patient experience throughout the province. 

“Alberta Health Services couldn’t do the things we do without the support and assistance of our volunteers,” Carter says.

National Volunteer Week runs April 18–24.

Alberta Health Services always welcomes new volunteers.  If you are interested in making a difference, please visit our volunteer information page for more information.