June 2014 Featured Volunteer: Edmar Elcarte

RF’s Volunteer of the Month for June is palliative nurse Edmar San Jose Elcarte.

Q&A with EDMAR

How did you come to volunteer for TRF?

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.

What were your expectations as a volunteer?

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.

Describe the activities you volunteered for, and why did you choose them?

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.

What are your key reflections/lessons? How has the experience changed your life?

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.

Thank you Edmar!

TRF and Project Pink partner for “Colors” art exhibit

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.

May 2014 Featured Volunteer : AJ Amores

TRF’s first ever Volunteer of the Month is 23 year old staff nurse Al John “AJ” Amores.

Q&A with AJ

How did you come to volunteer for TRF?

I was invited by a friend to attend the ELNEC training which is a project of the foundation and that’s how I got started in my TRF journey.

What were your expectations as a volunteer?

I wanted to share the knowledge I gained in school and to help other people who are in need of care and assistance. I also wanted to gain new knowledge about palliative and hospice care and to gain experience in caring for the sick and dying. I also expected to help with office work and to work in arts and crafts projects.

Describe the activities you volunteered for, and why did you choose them?

Patient & Family Support – Because this is actually what I do as a nurse. I wanted to be able to serve with my nursing skills but also to make patients and their families feel important and to make them understand that there is someone to comfort them during times of loneliness.

Crafts/Hobbies/Design – I love the arts and I wanted to share this love with the patients through drawing, painting and other projects and to make them smile.

Office Work – I wanted  to assist the TRF staff in making things like power point presentations and the like and to help them accomplish these things on time.

Photography – Taking pictures is what I love to do so I volunteered to help document the memorable events of TRF.

What are your key reflections/lessons? How has the experience changed your life?

Being a TRF volunteer is such a privilege and this was such a happy experience! Every home visit is a memory to keep and an experience of a lifetime. I attended events like Art Therapy where I learned how to appreciate art and how it can be used to help the sick. I also attended other seminars which helped me to understand better what palliative and hospice care is all about. I will treasure these events for the rest of my life. I would also like to thank the TRF staff, who guide and support me and are like a second family to me. Community service enhances my quality of life. I believe it is important to the person who serves as well as to the recipient. It’s a way in which we ourselves grow and develop. Helen Dyer said, “Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud.” I believe that the secret to being happy is doing things for other people. I am a proud volunteer, and I am proud to be a part of the Ruth foundation.

Thank you AJ!

Alone No More: Jonathan’s Story

Written by Ina Amor-Mejia

Jonathan with nurse Emma before his successful operation at the PGH

Jonathan Roda, a cancer patient in his 40’s, came to TRF with a large mass on his left knee. Suffering from Osterosarcoma, a common type of bone cancer, Jonathan came to TRF desperate for help. He was alone, in pain, and was losing hope. The staff and nurses of TRF moved quickly to help Jonathan, enlisting the help of other compassionate individuals, and securing arrangements with doctors at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for a free operation to remove the mass on his knee.

The operation last July 16, 2013 was successful, and Jonathan has since been transformed both physically and emotionally. Through the efforts of TRF, he is currently undergoing free palliative care and follow-up care at the PGH. Indeed, TRF’s amazing journey can be told through Jonathan’s story. And although the reality is that not every story can have a happy ending like Jonathan’s, it tells of how compassion, hard work, and perseverance can produce swift results—something so crucial in TRF’s work where time if of the essence.

In his own words:

“I would like to thank all those who helped me to get the care I needed. Right away they brought me to the hospital so I could be seen by doctors and get treatment. Rain or shine they visited me to check on me. I’m very, very grateful to the Ruth Foundation, to Doctor Mae and everyone in the team who are always there to help me.” -Jonathan Roda

TRF and Asian Hospital hold ELNEC course

The Ruth Foundation partnered with The Asian Hospital’s Department of Occupational and Family Medicine for “Dispelling Myths through Palliative Care Education: An ELNEC Training Course”, held last October 12, 2013, at the Asian Hospital in Alabang. The event was held in celebration of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day — a “unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world.” The crash course was attended by doctors, nurses and caregivers, and gathered specialists such as Dr. Rumalie Corvera (Symptom Management), Dr. Roy Cuison (Ethics), Dr. Paul Nierva (Culture and Spirituality), and Dr. Maria Yamomoto (Communication) among others. A related event “Dispelling the Myths through Partnerships and Integration,” was also held on October 15 in the same venue. Invited guest speakers included Dr. Sue Marsden, Dr. Rhodora Ocampo, Ms. Eloi De Leon, and Dr. Manuel Medina. The event ended with the art exhibit “Painting My Feelings & Insights while  Gaining Victory Over Cancer”, featuring the works of the Project Pink support group and other cancer survivors.