Meet HELP Volunteer - Davide Marchese
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April 21, 2018
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is proud to highlight Davide Marchese, volunteer with the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). Every week Davide provides mental stimulation, and companionship to elderly patients who are enrolled in the HELP Program. With a HBSc Physics from Lakehead University, Davide developed an early interest in healthcare which led him to start volunteering at TBRHSC. When Davide is not watching the Leafs, playing soccer, or working on his car, he offers his time to both the Cancer Centre and the HELP Program at TBRHSC. Davide finds meaning in his volunteering experience. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a wide variety of interesting individuals ranging from authors, to war veterans, to affiliates of professional hockey teams.” Davide says, “You may meet somebody who is hilarious or who has great advice on cooking, gardening or hunting. Conversing with the patients is like having access to hundreds of years of knowledge.” Davide believes that each person he visits at the hospital has a unique set of life experiences he can learn from.
“I’d like others to know there’s no pressure to volunteering! It’s much less stressful than a job. It also is a great way to meet new people and network. I’ve made connections with friends and new hobbies that I otherwise wouldn’t have.” Davide adds that students and young professionals should be open to finding new experiences. “It feels good to help people. If you’re looking to give back to your community, I encourage you to give volunteering a try!”