Back to Top Widower turns tragedy into reason to volunteer - The Ottawa Hospital Website scanner for suspicious and malicious URLs
 

toh

Tags:

Widower turns tragedy into reason to volunteer

 
Brian Olivier

Brian Oliver was inspired to become a volunteer for The Ottawa Hospital after his wife, Elaine Oliver, received care. His sharing spirit and warm smile make other patients feel at ease.

Everyone who volunteers at The Ottawa Hospital has a reason.  For Brian Oliver, that reason was to pay tribute to the people who helped him and his wife, Elaine Oliver.

Brian and Elaine came to The Ottawa Hospital and Cancer Centre after Elaine was diagnosed with ocular melanoma, a kind of cancer that affects the eyes.

“You walk into the hospital feeling stressed, knowing the outcome isn’t good, but you walk out smiling and that’s because of the staff and volunteers—or angels, I like to call them,” said Brian.

Sadly, Elaine passed away in 2015, but Brian remembers how the staff and volunteers at The Ottawa Hospital made him feel during such a difficult time. Brian found his reason and decided to become a volunteer.

“It’s easier to talk to someone who’s been through it. It’s such a wonderful and rewarding experience.”

“I thought, if I could help someone and put a smile on their face, then I’ve done something right with my life,” said Brian

Brian has been a volunteer at the General Campus of The Ottawa Hospital every Tuesday and Wednesday morning since 2018.  He spends most of that time at the Cancer Centre. He points people in the right direction, brings baked treats every Tuesday for the staff and volunteers, and sits and chats with patients and families who need someone to talk to.

“It’s easier to talk to someone who’s been through it,” he said. “It’s such a wonderful and rewarding experience.”

Brian’s future as a volunteer at The Ottawa Hospital is bright.  He will be working at the Information Desks soon, where he will direct patients and families to where they have to go, answer questions and smile at everyone who walks by.  It’s all in the hope that patients and families will feel a little less stressed. He will also be training new volunteers.

“Brian is a wonderful addition to our team,” said Sherri Daly, Manager of Volunteer Resources.  “He has embraced the role and thrives on volunteering. He has inspired the entire team with his sharing spirit.”

Thank a volunteer during National Volunteer Week and throughout the year. The Ottawa Hospital is grateful to have Brian and more than one thousand other volunteers who continue to dedicate their time to help others.

 
Comment

Comment on this post

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*


You might also like…

These volunteers turn chocolates and stuffed animals into MRI machines

We all know that a gift has the power to bring a smile to someone’s face. But did you know that the gifts you buy at our gift shops also have the power to help us buy important medical equipment? Our shops are run by a group of fundraising volunteers and staff from The Ottawa Hospital Auxiliary. Here are some other ways their efforts help make meaningful change.

After a life-altering bike crash, this group of volunteers proves that friendship and community are powerful medicine

In September 2021, a visiting professor woke up in our ICU completely alone. He admits that he wouldn’t have made it through the first few months without support. But he didn’t have to, thanks in large part to a group of caring volunteers who came to his side during this difficult time—and have been there ever since.

After 31 years of service, Stefan Mayer will soon hang up his blue volunteer jacket

For more than 30 years, volunteer photographer Stefan Mayer has captured important moments at The Ottawa Hospital, from awards ceremonies to newborn photos. Soon to turn 97, he will leave behind an incredible legacy when he retires from his volunteer career with us later this fall.

‘I got discharged, and I never really left’: Former patient Maxime volunteers his coding skills

Maxime Bilodeau was inspired to volunteer with The Ottawa Hospital after spending time in the acute care and rehabilitation units. “I saw the work that a lot of the volunteers were doing. After I got discharged, as soon as I was able to, I started to volunteer,” he recalls.

A busy nursing schedule hasn’t stopped Bao-Anh from volunteering

Bao-Anh Vuong has been volunteering with The Ottawa Hospital since high school. Now, 10 years later, she is a nurse at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and part of a team of experienced volunteers who recruit and onboard new volunteers.

Jocelyn inspires the next generation of health-care workers through virtual co-op program

For Jocelyn Niven, volunteering is a way of life. “It’s the way I was brought up,” she explains. “I come from an army family. My mum volunteered us for everything as far back as I remember.” Now a military veteran herself, Jocelyn is moderator of the hospital’s high school co-op program.

This website gives you common facts, advice and tips. Some of it may not apply to you. Please talk to your doctor, nurse or other health-care team member to see if this information will work for you. They can also answer your questions and concerns.