A chance conversation almost 30 years ago led Marlene Mackintosh to commence volunteering at Epworth Richmond and she is still generously giving up her time to support our patients and their families to this day.
After losing her husband and love of her life of 30 years to oesophageal cancer, Marlene later moved to East Melbourne and mentioned to a staff member at the Epworth Richmond pharmacy that she was thinking about volunteering somewhere.
Overhearing the conversation, the person behind her in line suggested ‘what about Epworth?’.
Marlene soon started providing hand massages across multiple rehabilitation programs at Epworth Richmond, while patients were recovering. She said patients appreciated the gentle nature of the massage – and the conversation.
“I have met some special people. Once a nurse thought we must have all been watching a TV show because we were laughing so much together,” Marlene said.
Marlene continued providing hand massages for two and a half decades, however after recently suffering two small strokes and undergoing significant surgeries, she now provides support in other ways.
As well as visiting patients to provide support and encouragement during their rehabilitation, Marlene has recently supported Endometriosis Awareness Month activities and the Walk4Rita Step Challenge to raise funds for the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth.
“Volunteering at Epworth is wonderful. You have such camaraderie with the other volunteers and it is so rewarding to help patients during a difficult time,” Marlene said.
“If anyone is considering volunteering at Epworth I would say ‘go for it’. You gain so much from the experience.”
Epworth Volunteer Services Manager, Kylie Semple, thanked Marlene – our longest-serving Epworth volunteer – for her incredible generosity and dedication to supporting patients.
“Marlene’s outstanding volunteer service since 1997 embodies a spirit of dedication that has touched countless lives and helped strengthen our Epworth community in many meaningful ways,” Kylie said.
