In 1986, nurse Sandra Clarke faced a heart-wrenching moment when she couldn't stay with a patient who requested her presence, and returned to find the patient had passed away alone. Driven by compassion, in 2001, she initiated the "No One Dies Alone" program, enlisting volunteers to sit with terminally ill patients lacking companionship. What began as a local effort has now evolved into a global movement.
No One Dies Alone serves as a volunteer program that ensures the comforting company of a dedicated volunteer for patients in their final moments. Supported by the nursing staff, these companions play a crucial role in offering patients the profound gift of a dignified death.
The No One Dies Alone manual, a resource guiding compassionate volunteers, has been distributed to over 400 hospitals, hospices, and AIDS care facilities worldwide. Remarkably, this all-volunteer initiative operates without significant funding, relying only on a modest grant to cover manual printing costs.
The individuals who step up to volunteer for No One Dies Alone represent a diverse and captivating mix. From hospital staff including carpenters, administrative heads, maintenance workers, nurses, secretaries, to kitchen workers, a broad spectrum of individuals has enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to contribute to this meaningful cause.
You can learn more about the program by visiting https://how-we-die.org
- Submitted by Lynn Sullivan