Pink Ladies volunteers offer comfort, service at CHRISTUS Highland

When Jan Moran was admitted to CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center with a breast cancer diagnosis, just six months after her mother had passed away from breast cancer, she was scared to death.

But even on the darkest days, she was grateful for several things, including her family, the nurses and doctors and the Pink Ladies.

The Pink Ladies are a group of volunteers at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center who help doctors, nurses and patients.

“They were extra caring and showed extra attention, even if it was just a box of Kleenex because you were crying and scared,” Moran said. “I just felt like somebody cared about me.”

A year later, when she was cancer-free, she decided it was her turn to help others and became a Pink Lady herself. Her mission is to serve.

“If I can make one person smile, then I've done my job for the day,” she said.

For 73-year-old Versie Williams, volunteering brings her joy and a sense of community.

“You give compassion and love to others,” she said.

In return, it gives her something to do in her retirement years.

“You need to keep busy," she said. "You don't need to just go home and sit.”

Volunteer Lynn Lee has been a Pink Lady for five years. Sitting at her desk, Lee said she mostly gives directions to people needing to find their way around the hospital.

“People come in and they have no idea how to get to where they’re going,” she said. “We smile, be as nice as we can and try to assist in any way.”

According to Lee, about 50 to 60 volunteers make up the Pink Ladies, most of whom are retired.

“I prayed about it, and I asked God to find me a way to give back," she said. "This came up, and it was like an answer to prayer. But I get the blessing. We have some of the sweetest, most kind people that come in, especially to the cancer center.”

For Noreen Dockendorf, it’s a return to a long-term career her career.

“I'm a former nurse, and I love being around the patients," she said. "I love being around the other volunteers and just interacting with people.”

But Dockendorf also receives from her giving,

“Bringing some comfort to somebody, it fills you up spiritually,” she said.

Paige Cox, manager of Cara Center, Child Life and Volunteer Services, said the Pink Ladies fill a key role.

“They are often the first warm face you encounter to assist as you navigate your hospital visit,” she said.

The Pink Ladies also help ease the nurses' workload,

“Our volunteers support our ministry in many ways,” Cox said.