Volunteers needed for UChicago Medicine AdventHealth No One Dies Alone Program

LA GRANGE, Ill. - UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange is seeking volunteers to help relaunch a program built on the belief that everyone deserves to have someone by their side at the end of life.

The hospital's No One Dies Alone Program (NODA), a national volunteer-centered initiative, will be reincorporated into patient care services after pausing during the pandemic.

Originally founded in 2001 by Sandra Clark at PeaceHealth Medical System in Eugene, Oregon, the program first came to La Grange in 2015.

Its goal today is the same as it was then: To extend the healing ministry of Christ by offering patients who are at end of life the presence of a compassionate companion in their final moments.

"We want to honor every death with dignity by ensuring every person who comes through our doors has a loving presence by their side in their final hours," said Kathleen Downey, vice president and chief nursing officer for UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange. "We want to let patients who are in the final stage of their life's journey know that they have worth and are seen and valued."

NODA relies on specially trained volunteers who sit vigil with patients, providing a continuous, comforting presence as they rotate in over two-hour shifts.

Their focus is simply accompaniment; they might speak with the patient, hold their hand or sit with them in silence. No clinical care is involved.

UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange is seeking adult volunteers age 18 and older for the program.

Volunteers may include members of the community, current hospital volunteers and staff.

Because of the emotional nature of the work, participants should not have experienced the loss of a close friend or family member within the past year.

In addition to their initial training, volunteers will have opportunities to connect with one another for ongoing support.

Training sessions and informational meetings will begin in September.

For more information, call Cathy Ballenger, director of Critical Care, at Call.