Stage Zero Community Forum 2016

Written by Niki Guloy

DSC07781-720x220.jpg

Last Oct. 21, The Ruth Foundation partnered with Project Pink to host the Stage Zero Community Forum at the Filinvest Tent, as part of the Filinvest City #UnityInPink October breast cancer awareness campaign. Over 330 guests dropped by.

We had wonderful talks from speakers, including international trainer & grief therapist Liese Groot-Alberts; motivational speaker Miriam Quiambao-Roberto; executive director of the Philippine Cancer Society, Dr. Rachel Rosario; business & personality coach Dr. Roel Tolentino; singer Samantha Chavez-Que; Pinoy laughter yoga founder Paolo Trinidad; and many others.

Thank you to everyone who came!

For more coverage shots, visit the Stage Zero by Project Pink and The Ruth Foundation Facebook pages for more photos. You can also view the same-day edit video at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/stagezerobyprojectpink/videos/1151601374876899/

Photo credits: Photos with Stage Zero logo care of Stage Zero by Project Pink Facebook page

September 2016 Featured Volunteer: Cottie del Rosario

TRF-Volunteer-Web-Header-2016Sept.png

TRF’s Volunteer of the Month for September 2016 is Cottie del Rosario!

A retired church worker who loves to bake, Cottie servant-heartedly uses her studies and experience in church as a venue to counsel and pray for our patients. She faithfully volunteers with us once a week and is a jolly and dedicated member of our team.

Q&A with COTTIE

How did you come to volunteer for TRF?

Nurse Mitch informed me that TRF was looking for a spiritual counselor last summer of 2016. I readily said yes and since then I became a part of the TRF volunteer pool.

IMG_2759.jpg

Describe the activities you volunteered for. Why did you choose them?

I volunteered as a counselor. Since I studied to be one, I think that I can effectively help in TRF by rendering counseling services.

What were your expectations as a volunteer?

All of my expectations as a spiritual counselor were met. Looking forward though, I would like to be involved more in one-on-one counseling. That way I can help patients and their family members more, journeying with them as they face difficult challenges in life.

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

No matter what situation a person is going through, bringing the love of God to them by listening to what they feel and praying for them makes such a difference.nThis experience has stirred up my compassion for others so much. I always feel my heart smiling after each home visitation.

I have also come to realize that since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we should take good care of it by choosing to eat healthy.

IMG_7401-1024x683.jpg

Thank you Cottie!

Flowers for Hope

Written by Niki Guloy

A few months ago, a viral video told the story of a New York-based service that repurposes wedding flowers and gives them away. This was the story of the lovely ladies at Repeat Roses.

After large events generate large amounts of waste, Repeat Roses recycles the compostable waste and sends still-fresh flowers off to nursing homes and hospitals. There they can be appreciated by patients and people needing a spot of color to their day.

We do all we can at The Ruth Foundation to spread hope. Our team was inspired by the Repeat Roses mission, and thought it would be a great project to have for our own patients. In fact, we knew a lovely couple who was getting married in a few weeks. They kindly, selflessly donated their wedding flowers. A large bunch of fragrant white roses and delicate white carnations filled our office the day after the wedding.

Over the next couple of days, we went to several homes to deliver the flowers, alternating the deliveries between volunteers and the medical team. Our home visits are usually for wound care and check-ups: this time, we were delivering a bit of good cheer and well wishes.

Flowers-for-HOPE-7.jpg

I joined the volunteers the day they visited some homes. That day, we got a glimpse into some of our patients’ lives. Each house told a different story, a short chapter of a richer novel. The stories are too long to fit in here so we’ll save them for another time. At each home though, no matter how brief, we saw just how important hope was to every person.

day-1-1024x650.jpg
Flowers-for-HOPE-6.jpg

The beauty of flowers is in the memories associated with them. Flowers speak of grand events, like weddings and celebrations. Bouquets are offered in congratulations during graduations and parenthood. Fragrant long-stemmed blooms are given in courtship. Even when they are delivered to sadder moments, like hospital rooms or funerals, flowers are brought by people who care and represent love.

When we see flowers, we are reminded that we are never truly alone. The greatest lesson we learned that day was that kindness brings hope – whether through gifts, prayer, or even a friendly smile.

Flowers-for-HOPE-3.jpg

August 2016 Featured Volunteer: Loida Gutierrez

TRF’s Volunteer of the Month for August 2016 is Loida Gutierrez!

A registered nurse pursuing her doctorate in counseling, Loida has been helping out with The Ruth Foundation for several months. She has assisted our in-house social workers and counselors in assessing the situations of our patients and their families.

Q&A with LOIDA

How did you come to volunteer for TRF?

A few months back, I had already been thinking of finding somewhere to volunteer. Then a colleague from the College of Nursing-DLSHSI, Dr. Resty Tan, introduced me to TRF (The Ruth Foundation). Feeling that God has already done many great and good things in my life, I found it necessary to share this with others by getting involved with the foundation’s advocacy.

What were your expectations as a volunteer?

I volunteered because I felt the work would increase my awareness and sensitivity to the many people who feel helpless and hopeless – the people who are silently seeking and craving for help.

Describe the activities you volunteered for. Why did you choose them?

Since I am studying for a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, being part of the TRF counseling group became a good option.

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

I am privileged to be used by God in this ministry. To God be the glory! And my sincere appreciation to TRF.

Thank you Loida!