Iris Rose has supported Hospice & Community Care as a Hospice Volunteer since the early 1990s. During the early years, Iris served as a board member and benefactor. An integral voice in the planning of the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House and Campus, Iris only fully understood the impact of Hospice care when “Uncle Bob,” a close family friend in Florida, became ill. Iris said, “I was expecting the care he received under Hospice, but what I didn’t expect was what I would receive as the caregiver. Hospice made a difficult situation as easy as it could be by providing comfort, managing his pain and giving him peace in his final months. I would call every day, several times a day to check in on him. The nurses were so calming and assuring. Their kind words and updates over the phone gave me peace.”
After Iris retired from Duke Energy in 2013, she pondered “how can I make a difference during this part of my life?” Considering her passion for the work of Hospice & Community Care, she attended Volunteer Training with a friend in July 2013. During the training session she thought “is this really for me?” Once she saw the Volunteer Interest Form she found the perfect fit for her interests and skills.
Using her experience as a guide, Iris encourages others to learn more about what may be a good fit for them as a Hospice Volunteer. Whether giving financially, working in the office or resale store, or sharing their own special Hospice story, most can find a place to Volunteer. “Hospice is still a relatively new concept of caring,” explains Iris. “It is important that you share your story for the good of the whole. We are all on a different journey, but we all have a responsibility to give back and pay it forward.”
