A HealthBeat Special Series

SeekingVolunteer Spirit

They share time, joy and talents. They help visitors find their way along unfamiliar hallways, sooth newborn babies, and offer cheer to diffuse worries. We salute our more than 2,300 volunteers with this special Health Beat series.

Health Beat Special Series

‘Anything you can do makes it a little better’

Two volunteers, 1,000 hours, lots of smiles. Add it up and you get nothing short of total joy.

Patient Story

22 pounds of love

Cricket, a therapy cat, brings happiness and wholeness to hospice patients.

Patient Story

Bravo, Book Fairy

Wendy McLenithan opens magical new worlds to children beyond patient rooms.

‘Helping others, helping yourself’

Studies show volunteers receive many benefits, from improved cardiovascular health to lower cancer and depression rates.

Patient Story

‘Loretta, no cancer’

After three cancer scares, Loretta Staskey finds solace in the kindness of her doctor and those she encourages with inspirational notes.

Patient Story

A legacy of letters

German-born volunteer Hildegard Krusch, 90, delivers cheer and mail to hospital patients.

‘Productive and successful’

Meet Bradley Spidell: Artist, entrepreneur, volunteer.

A volunteer’s perspective

Marjean Nickerson doesn't need a dictionary to know a volunteer is all about service—and for her, it's all about helping people.

Patient Story

One hoppy Cookie

For kiddos at the children's hospital, smiles are found in feathers and fluff—with a bird named Bert and a rabbit named Cookie.

Patient Story

What do a scorpion, hedgehog and owl have in common?

Kiddos at the children's hospital met these creatures and asked all sorts of interesting questions.

Patient Story

A bunny and a chinchilla try to charm kids with their soft fur …

... and it worked.