St. Jude volunteer Jana Welch
Jana Welch started volunteering at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2016 as an ICU Greeter, where she stayed for a year until she felt she needed a change. Welch moved to the Blood Donor Center as a weekly volunteer in 2017.
She said she feels her time spent in the Blood Donor Center has been appreciated by staff. Welch said all of the employees working at St. Jude from bottom to top give the impression they truly care for the children and their families.
“I enjoy my time there on Fridays mostly because they make make me feel valued as a volunteer, and they are a lot of fun to be around,” she said. “They never fail to thank me and let me know my time is appreciated.”
Welch moved to the Memphis area in 2016, but began volunteering long before she came to St. Jude.
“I believe in the good [volunteering] does and that it helps to make the world a better place. Working there makes me a more well-rounded person,” she said.
Welch said when she moved to the city she recognized St. Jude immediately and wanted to offer what little she could to support Danny Thomas’ mission being carried out by the people there.
“I choose to spend my time here because I believe that volunteering is a way to expand and get beyond my own world. To give a little of myself is such a small price to pay for the experiences I receive in return,” Welch said.
She said her goal as a volunteer in the Blood Donor Center is to provide nurses and staff with the support they need to devote more energy toward the donors and patients.
“Every little bit helps in an organization as large as St. Jude, and no time donated is too small,” Welch said.
Welch recently decided it was time for another change and volunteered her last shift in the Blood Donor Center. She will soon begin volunteering in the Simulation Center portraying a family member, in order to help nurses and staff improve their interactions with St. Jude families.
“I have a goal of offering a year in each volunteer role, rotating around the hospital and trying out new jobs and meeting new people,” Welch said.