THUNDER BAY - Reaching the end of life is an extremely difficult situation for the people and families involved. One community health care organization exists to ease the struggle, but they are in need of help.
Hospice Northwest is a palliative care service that offers support to patients who are reaching, but not limited to, the end of their life.
“We can do the things that health-care professionals can’t because they have so many other things. We can sit, we can listen, we can take the time and be present,” executive director Cherie Kok said.
However, Hospice Northwest can’t provide that service without volunteers.
In accordance with a rebranding, and hiring of new executive director Cherie Kok, the organization is launching an intensive recruiting process.
“We’re looking for someone with a giant heart. Somebody that can listen really well, and can be there for someone that is palliative.”
Kok has been on the job for just 50 days, but is hoping an image overhaul and public plea will help amend their volunteer shortages.
“We really don’t want a waiting list. We want to help everyone.”
The organization pairs palliative care patients with volunteers to assist them on a daily basis, and establish a bond as they reach the end of their life.
John Glazier has been volunteering with the organization since 2012, and he spoke of how the experience is rewarding, not just for the person in care, but the person giving care.
“It allows me to be of service at the highest level of possible to the community and that’s tremendously powerful,” Glazier said.
Glazier told the story of his most recent patient, a cancer patient in his 90s.
“We’d spend typically three hours together,” Glazier said. “It would mostly be me checking in and seeing how he’s doing… but during that three hours we would chat about anything that would come up.”
“As his health worsened the conversations became less so,” he continued. “But, I was there for him during meal times and assisted with his mobility issues."
Glazier said the richness of being involved in someone’s life keeps him a motivated volunteer.
“It hits your heart.”
Kok said the focus for this recruitment drive is on multicultural volunteers.
“Sharing the same language and sharing the same culture is so important for those nearing the end of life,” she said.
