Meet Bill Sunderlin, a patient care and pathway volunteer at Hospice of the Red River Valley. Patient care volunteers provide companionship to patients while pathway volunteers are present at the bedside of a hospice patient who is actively dying.
Name: Bill Sunderlin
Location: Fargo, N.D.
Volunteer Role: Patient care and Pathway volunteer
Volunteering Since: January 2016
Tell us about your role and why you choose to volunteer with Hospice of the Red River Valley.
I wanted to pay back Hospice, as they provided such great care for my wife during her time under hospice care. I decided to join the Hospice team as a patient care/pathway/respite volunteer.
Tell us about your experiences with Hospice of the Red River Valley.
My wife was on service with Hospice for two years. She passed away in July 2015, and with the help of Hospice of the Red River Valley, I was able to keep her home right up until the end of her life. I am very grateful for the care that Hospice provided to my wife. Without their help, I would not have been able to keep her home. My experience with Hospice encouraged me to write a life story about our life together and our journey with hospice care.
What would you say to someone who is interested in volunteering with Hospice of the Red River Valley?
Volunteering for hospice has been very rewarding; it’s a great thing to be a part of. Hospice is a good organization, and it is a blessing to help others in need as they did so much for my wife and me.
At Hospice of the Red River Valley, we’re fortunate to have dedicated volunteers of all ages and backgrounds throughout our service area. The Volunteer Spotlight celebrates their contributions to the organization and the ways they enrich our patients’ lives.
Want to become a volunteer? Whatever your skills and interests, we have a role for you! Learn how to get started.
