I have been volunteering on the palliative care unit at The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre (TGHC) since July 2018. I had no idea when I started that I would be inspired enough to pursue a career in palliative care. I wanted to volunteer on a palliative care unit because I wanted to support patients and their families during a difficult time that is often not talked about in our society. I was drawn to the Grace because the mission and core values spoke to me, and I felt my personality would allow me to contribute positively to the caring atmosphere that the Grace has cultivated. I am so thankful that my introduction to palliative care has been at the Grace. The entire team on the 6th floor has taught me so much about the kind of profession I want to be part of and how I want to practice in the future. This has been an invaluable experience for me and I love that I am able to give back while gaining so much.
I have the privilege of hearing people’s most private thoughts about life. From their regrets to their triumphs, from their pain to their joy, my presence allows patients to share as they look back on their lives, but also look forward. I often hear patients speak about the people that they want to be re-united with when the time comes, and also the people they are sad they are leaving behind. Palliative care has taught me how much of the human experience is connected to the people that we encounter in our lifetime. Volunteering at the Grace has given me the opportunity to play a unique role in so many people’s lives. Life is messy and dying is hard, but my role as a volunteer is surprisingly simple. Whether I am bringing tea to a family who are saying their last goodbyes to their loved one, sitting chatting with a patient, or just smiling at someone, it all makes a difference to the patients and their families while on palliative care. As complicated as people’s journeys on palliative care are, I get to play the most uncomplicated role of all: simply bearing witness to it all.
Julianna Hany
Palliative Care Volunteer