Put Your Compassion
Into Action
Trillium Health
Centre thanks the 1,000 volunteers who give 115,000 hours
each year to care for patients and their families. Enrich
your life by joining our volunteers today.
Calming a child's
fears
 Children
facing surgical procedures at Trillium Health Centre may never
meet the woman who makes their tiny surgical caps, but that
doesn't bother our long-time volunteer Anne Dundas.
"The nurses
tell me that the kids really calm down when asked to choose
their cap," Anne says, adding. "That's all
I need to know. It's simply something I like to do.
It's therapeutic and it's fun.
No longer able to
walk, Anne found another way to give to patients at Trillium
Health Centre. Working from home, she sews the cheerful
caps for children who wear them during their surgical procedures.
Cutting out a dozen caps at a time, it takes her 30 minutes
to sew each one.
Anne started volunteering
when her husband suddenly passed away and she wanted to fill
her time with activities that help other people. Over
the past 30 years, she has sold paperbacks to patients from
a mobile cart, worked in the gift shop, and staffed the information
desk. "I hope to continue for a while longer. I'm
busy all the time. I would recommend volunteering to anyone.
It's never boring," declares Anne.
Volunteers receive
gifts in return
As Sandi Davis approaches
retirement, she's been thinking about how she wants to spend
her time when she is no longer working 9-5. A career
woman with a successful job in the banking industry, she can't
imagine retirement without contributing to her community in
some way.
In November 2008,
Sandi found an ideal way to explore her options. She
volunteered at Trillium Health Centre. Working in our Emergency
Centre for three hours once a week, she provides patients
and families with directions, escorts patients to tests and
facilitates communication between our patients' families and
our staff.
"By giving
to Trillium I am giving the gift of time and the opportunity
to explore different roles, which will help shape my life
after I retire. It's the best present I've ever given
myself," says Sandi.
Giving special
attention when it's needed
 |
| "It's
the simple things I do that make
a world of difference to a patient and their family.
Just to let them know that there is someone else that
can give them some comfort.” |
“Please stay
with me. God sent you to me. I need you.”
Those words, from a cancer patient at Trillium, form Edna
Strong’s most memorable moment as a volunteer in our
oncology unit.
Edna meets many of our cancer patients, including some who
are terminal. She provides special attention when it’s
needed. At the end
of each shift, Edna gives a stuffed bear to someone in need
of a bear hug. “It’s
a nice purpose in life to know you are here to make people
feel special.”
Compassionate and
caring volunteers like Edna make a world of difference for
our patients. Click here to read
more about Edna's story.
Easing the way
for patients, visitors
 |
| "I like knowing that I'm helping
people - even if it's only for five hours a week,"
says Bob. |
When Bob Brown is
not greeting and
helping patients
find their way, he drives a
seven-seat golf
cart at our Mississauga location.
Bob volunteers for our convenient Park ‘n’ Ride
service for visitors and patients. He
has travelled to
just about every corner of
the health centre
escorting people to and from their destinations.
“Hospitals
can be confusing places, especially for older visitors.
I tell them the
shortest route to
take to get to where they are going,” says Bob.
Volunteers like Bob help us to provide a quality experience
for you from the moment you arrive at Trillium. Click
here to read more about Bob.
 “I
volunteer at Trillium Health Centre because it is my
community hospital. It is where two of my three sons
were born and it's where many of my family have been patients,
including myself.”
 “At
the end of the shift, when you see the smiles
that you put on patients' faces, and their gratification,
that is the most rewarding to me.”
 “I
love it here because it's like a
little community within a community. It is so diverse
and everyone comes together.”
 “I
love to serve people, I love to help out. I find my haven
here at the Trillium Health Centre. It's a place where I can
relax and find satisfaction in helping
other people.”
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