We are Niagara Health is a series of stories that celebrates the incredible people working and volunteering in our organization and how they make a difference in the lives of patients and coworkers every day.
Walker Family Cancer Centre volunteers David Hayes and Al Walz play a significant role in the cancer journey of patients by offering comforts such as blankets, snacks and coffee.
When you have volunteered at the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC) as long as David Hayes and Al Walz, you come to learn a thing or two.
Like the simple rule of skipping the traditional “How are you doing?” – a question they know can often feel more burdensome than comforting for patients receiving treatment in the Systemic Suite at the WFCC.
Instead, the duo greets patients with genuine smiles, light-hearted jokes, and practical offers of help.
Their approach is not just about being present but making a positive impact in the lives of those facing tough times, proving that sometimes a little kindness can make all the difference.
“It’s all about staying positive,” says Walz, who has been a volunteer at the WFCC for 14 years. “The mind is a powerful thing. Our job is to help patients’ take their mind off things by offering small talk and banter.”
Both Hayes’ and Walz’s approach to interacting with patients is deeply personal. Both men have walked a similar path, having been caregivers to their wives during their battles with cancer.
When Walz’s wife passed away in 2009 and Hayes’ wife four years later, they found solace and strength in the support of volunteers who had been there for them.
This shared experience shaped their decision to volunteer themselves, honouring their late wives by giving back in the way they had once received.
Understanding the challenges and small comforts that can mean so much, the volunteers try to make each patient’s day a little brighter.
Systemic therapy is a term used to describe treating cancer with medications. Patients undergoing treatment in the Systemic Suite may receive chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or hormonal therapy with the frequency and number of treatments different for each patient.
Both Hayes and Walz play a significant role in this environment, especially during the centre’s education classes for patients starting their treatment journey. These classes, offered to help patients understand what to expect, often mark the first encounter many patients have with volunteers. During the classes, Hayes provides tours of the unit, helping patients to visualize where they will need to go when they return for treatment.
Their duties, however, extend beyond just tours.
“We offer patients coffee, snacks, warm blankets – anything that might make their experience a little more comforting,” says Hayes, who has been a volunteer with Niagara Health for more than 10 years.
Hayes and Walz are always ready to lend a helping hand, a role that is appreciated by both patients and staff members alike.
“The staff here are exceptional – they always go above and beyond to support patients,” says Hayes. “I’m grateful for the chance to help them out and lend a hand in any way that I can.”
For Hayes and Walz, the most rewarding part of volunteering at the WFCC is the ability to make a tangible difference in someone’s day. Whether it is seeing a patient’s face light up with a smile, sharing a laugh over a light-hearted joke or simply engaging in a meaningful conversation that offers a brief escape from their reality, these moments are what truly resonate with them.
“It’s the small victories that make everything worthwhile,” says Walz. “When you see a patient smile or hear them laugh, it makes you feel like you are truly making a difference. Those are the moments that stay with you long after you leave for the day.”
Their experiences are a constant reminder of why they return week after week. The personal satisfaction they derive from their connections makes their volunteer work a deeply rewarding part of their lives.
Niagara Health is recruiting volunteers to work in many different roles across our three hospitals in St. Catharines, Welland and Niagara Falls, as well as Urgent Care Centre’s in Fort Erie and Port Colborne. There is a particular need for volunteers in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland.
“Volunteering isn’t for everyone, but it is for anyone who wants to make a positive change,” says Walz. “If you’re looking to feel good about giving back and want to be part of something that truly makes a difference, then this is the place for you.”
Visit our website to learn more or to apply to be a volunteer at Niagara Health.
