National Volunteer Week: Celebrating our volunteers

Madeleine has been an incredible Lipstick Angels volunteer for the past two years by offering her expertise as an esthetician to support cancer patients during treatments. She was inspired to volunteer after seeing many of her clients go through cancer treatment and realizing the profound impact she could make.

Her passion is in making a difference — whether it’s by helping patients feel better through self-care or witnessing the positive changes in their blood pressure and spirits during and after their treatments. She deeply values the gratitude she receives from patients and staff.

One of her greatest joys is passing on her knowledge of self-care to others, empowering them to care for themselves in meaningful ways. When speaking to others about volunteering, Madeleine’s advice is simple yet powerful: “Find something that fits your goals and something you look forward to. Go where you are appreciated.”

At Montage Health, healing comes in many forms — and sometimes, it arrives in the form of a gentle touch and a compassionate heart. For the past year and a half, Bridgit has been that source of calm, connection, and care for cancer patients through her work as a Healing Touch volunteer.

Bridgit is no stranger to transformation. Her life has taken her through a vibrant tapestry of careers — from nurturing minds as an educator and planning meaningful events as a corporate planner to helping people prepare for the future as a long-term healthcare insurance broker. But it was a deeply personal chapter that ultimately led her to the healing path she now walks.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Bridgit experienced firsthand the profound effects of Healing Touch during her treatment. The sessions brought her peace, comfort, and something she describes as “magical.” It was in that space — between healing and hope — that she knew she had to give back.

“It was simple,” she says. “I received so much from Healing Touch during my treatment, and I knew I wanted to share it with others, especially oncology patients who are walking a path I know so well.”

Each week, Bridgit arrives for her volunteer shift with a quiet intention in her heart: “Give me something, or someone, to make a contribution or difference in their lives.” And every visit fulfills that wish. Whether it’s a patient in need of peace, a family member longing for comfort, or a staff member who just needs a moment of connection, Bridgit shows up ready to serve.

“The connections I make with families, the meaningful moments with patients, and the warmth of the staff — it fills me up every time I’m here,” she shares with a smile.

Bridgit’s presence is a reminder that healing doesn’t always come in the form of medicine — it can also be found in the kindness of a stranger, the gentle energy of a healing hand, and the dedication of someone who simply wants to give back.

For Susan, volunteering is more than just giving back — it’s a calling, a connection, and a source of joy. After dedicating much of her life to educating young minds as a schoolteacher, Susan stepped into retirement looking for a new way to make a difference.

Eight years ago, she found that opportunity with Montage Health Foundation where she has since become a valued palliative care volunteer, offering comfort and kindness during some of life’s most vulnerable moments.

“I felt that I could do some good here,” she says simply, but with the kind of quiet conviction that reflects a lifetime of caring. And from the moment she began volunteering, it was clear she found a place where her compassion and presence made a real impact.

Every time she drives in for a volunteer shift, Susan looks forward to the day ahead. “I look forward to interacting with people, being helpful, and making good use of my time,” she shares. Whether it’s offering a warm smile, lending a listening ear, or simply being a calming presence, Susan brings a deep sense of purpose to every moment.

Ask her why she volunteers, and she often responds with a smile and a thoughtful reflection: “Volunteering at Montage Health is a whole world in itself — culturally, socially, spiritually, and physically. You will make friends, and you will feel fulfilled.”

Kevin is a retired professor who, for the past 10 months, has brought joy and comfort to Montage Health’s patients, visitors, and staff with the help of Sandy, his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Kevin’s journey to volunteerism began with a simple observation: Sandy is incredibly social. Always eager to meet new people and overflowing with friendly energy, Sandy seemed like the perfect candidate for therapy dog work. When Kevin discovered the opportunity to volunteer with Montage Health Foundation, it felt like a natural fit.

Each time Kevin and Sandy volunteer, they bring light and laughter to everyone they encounter. Whether it's a staff member needing a pick-me-up, a patient seeking a moment of calm, or a family member facing a difficult day, Sandy’s wagging tail and warm presence provide exactly the kind of comfort that words often can’t.

For Kevin, the most rewarding part of volunteering is seeing the joyful reactions of those they meet. “Sandy greets everyone with a smile, a wagging tail, and her signature enthusiasm,” he says. “It’s uplifting to witness how much of a difference a few moments with her can make.”

Kevin offers thoughtful advice to those considering giving their time by volunteering: “Make sure that the assigned responsibilities, level of commitment, and schedule work for you. It’s also important that the organization and the people you work with have a healthy understanding of what volunteerism entails and a true appreciation for the commitment you're making — to the organization, the people or animals you’re helping, and the mission you’re supporting.”

Through their warmth, dedication, and shared love of helping others, Kevin and Sandy demonstrate that healing can come in small, furry packages, and that compassion can be felt in every tail wag and smile.