written by: Mikee Pasaporte
TRF held its first Meditation and Spiritual Healing Workshop last April 12, 2014, at the foundation headquarters in Muntinlupa. Led by Dr. Paul Nierva and the TRF staff, the workshop gathered patient-active and trainee volunteers, and is one component of the foundation’s holistic approach to patient care. During the workshop, the volunteers participated in group dynamics, a question and answer session, and a sharing of their various experiences as volunteers.
A Wound Care Seminar, sponsored by Calmoseptine and the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET), of which The Ruth Foundation is a member, was held last May 19-22, 2014 at the Eurotel in Malate. The seminar was divided into Basic and Intermediate modules, and brought together the Calmoseptine Team from Canada, Dubai, and the Philippines, as well as clinical professionals from the UP -PGH, the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Perpetual, and USAID. Participants were introduced to the Calmoseptine brand for wound care across all ages, and were taught basic skin and wound care methods for the generalist health care professional. Appropriate chronic wound preventative measures were also demonstrated at the seminar.
TRF’s Volunteer of the Month for July is private duty nurse Normita “Noemi” Mamaril.
I came to know TRF through a Wound Care Seminar the foundation held in partnership with Calmoseptine.
To participate in wound care for the foundation’s referred patients in their homes.
Actually all activities done by the team are the same activities in the hospital, the only difference is the setting. Through this, my dream to give my time, loving care, and expertise for free with God at my side came true.
Well it was fruitful in the sense that from the first day I stepped into the TRF office it felt like I was part of the foundation for a long time. The doctors were kind and I felt that they appreciated whatever contribution I shared during house visits. It has changed my life a lot since the foundation deals with people from all walks of life yet whenever challenges occur in their journey they express it with tears flowing in their eyes uttering that God and Jesus will help them no matter how difficult it is. That truly inspired me.
RF’s Volunteer of the Month for June is palliative nurse Edmar San Jose Elcarte.
My application as a volunteer of TRF was an accident. I remembered that day when I simply accompanied my best friend, AJ Amores to the TRF office to visit his friends. I was very curious about TRF and why it exists. After a few minutes in the TRF office, Nurse Badette and Miss Leng entered the room. AJ introduced me to them and we talked. Nurse Badette asked me, “Do you want to become volunteer of TRF?”. And I just answered her with a smile (I’m was actually just waiting for someone to invite me to join TRF, mostly out of curiosity) and this was the start of my journey as a volunteer of The Ruth Foundation. A blessing in disguise.
As a student and a youth leader molded by previous volunteer work, I did not have any expectations. For me, it is nicer not to expect because it just disappoints you if your expectations are unmet. I believe that life is full of surprises and mysteries. Expect the unexpected. Indeed, being a volunteer is not about what is expected, but it is all about what I can give and sacrifice even if there is nothing in return. It is not about the fame nor the recognition I can get, but what is more important is the smile on my patient’s face. I will just do whatever the work entails, as long as I am capable then I will give. Expect less. Do more.
I am volunteering as a palliative nurse doing home visits, documentation and office work. This sort of work makes me happy and productive. I really enjoyed doing home visits, especially while interviewing the patient, doing nursing care and making individualized nursing care plans for each patient. On the other hand, I also love doing office work because I am a perfectionist and a time-bound person. This makes me more productive in my free time after work and for other personal responsibilities. Moreover, I chose to volunteer for TRF to help individuals journeying in the terminal stages of their lives. As the head of hemodialysis unit, I am already well versed in the situations of patients with terminal conditions like Chronic Kidney Disease. Their experiences, family connections, emotions, and problems in finances. And this also motivates me to become a volunteer.
Inspite of being a newbie, I had a great experience that was priceless. It is more about my self worth being a nursing professional and my inner happiness as a son of God. Maybe this is my perfect time to pay back for the blessings I had this past years. I hope through TRF, I can reach more who really need my help as a friend or even a brother. TRF helped me to realize that, wellness is beyond happiness and freedom from illness. It is more about the dimensional balance of a person in his physical-psychological-socioeconomical-and-spiritual wellbeing. At the end of every home visits there are learnings that are not being taught in school. The lessons of life that help us to face all the struggles in everyday living. I have learned that patients must be treated holistically, considering their wholeness and uniqueness. I have also learned that communication is a very important aspect in nursing management, utilizing the art of touch and empathy towards the patient. I have become more compassionate and sensitive to the feelings of my patients.
TRF and the Project Pink cancer support group launched the art exhibit Colors, last March 30, 2014 at the Palms Country Club in Alabang. The exhibit was attended by friends and supporters of both TRF and Project Pink, and featured the paintings of cancer survivors, patients, doctors, volunteers, caregivers, among others. Proceeds of the exhibit will go to fund the new Project Pink campaign known as Stage Zero — which aims to provide emotional and psychological support to cancer survivors and the caregivers, and to assist in the dissemination of cancer information to educate people about cancer, particularly the financially disadvantaged.
Copyright Aly Reyes.
A few paintings from this exhibit might still be available. Please contact TRF’s Care Coordinator, Mikee Pasaporte, at +632 808 6079 for inquiries.
