Become a Patient Ambassador in Dana Farber
By Dalia Díaz
Going to a hospital for most people is not a pleasant task and when the reason is cancer care, they need all the support the facility can provide.
Friendly support, guidance, and access to helpful information can help ease anxiety and frustration; it can also help patients and families feel more in control of their experience and less overwhelmed.
Laurie Gorecki learned all about that when her father learned at Dana Farber in Boston that he had stage 4 cancer. Doctors gave him five years to live but with the care he received, they were able to extend his life by eleven years, of which they are grateful.
Laurie’s family went through the normal confusion of finding the right place, asking for directions in the building, etc. until becoming familiar with everything in subsequent visits. She soon learned to depend on the Patient Ambassadors who are there for the sole purpose of making patients and family members feel welcomed, supported, aware of available resources, and assisted in finding their way.
After her father’s passing, Laurie began serving as a Patient Ambassador, volunteering her time at Dana Farber in Boston. After a while, she found out that the Methuen site doesn’t have a volunteer program and she offered to get it started.
Dana Farber Cancer Center in Methuen has plenty of Spanish-speaking patients and now, as Volunteer Coordinator she believes it will be an asset to have someone who could talk and be friendly with them while they wait. Perhaps, offering a drink of water or something to eat to help the nurses.
The commitment is only 3 hours each week. If interested, you can find more details on https://www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help/get-involved/volunteer and learn about the duties assigned, the essential skills needed, and other requirements.
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