From Goodies to Gratitude: Lessons from Hospital Volunteering

“I remember walking into the preparation room, unsure of what to expect for the day. I knew one thing, though: the centerpiece of the program is greatly anticipated. Volunteers would have the privilege to visit and deliver gifts to the patients themselves, hoping to uplift their spirits and make the day an unforgettable one.”

The cheerful exterior of Hospital Pakar Kanak-kanak UKM.

A Kopi Chat event held in December last year at Hospital Pakar Kanak-kanak UKM by Charisma Movement, in collaboration with BNM volunteers, sought to raise awareness and highlight the resilience of young pediatric cancer patients and their families. The volunteer experience, however, proved to be far more challenging and rewarding than anticipated.

Seeing the others already busy sorting goodies for the patients, I immediately joined in to get started. As we placed the colour pencils, activity books and glow-in-the-dark blankets into the bags, it was exciting to imagine how the young patients would react to receiving their gifts.

After sorting out the goodie bags, we came together for a sharing session featuring one of the invitees, Puan Myrzela Sabtu. She recounted her journey as a caretaker for her late daughter, Aida, who was a salivary gland cancer patient. Puan Myrzela shared that Aida had been an active and lively person before her diagnosis, making it especially painful to watch her strenuously undergo chemotherapy and gradually lose her ability to speak. Despite immense hardship, Aida accomplished remarkable feats before her passing in April 2023. She conquered a 55 km ultramarathon, gave birth to four children, and established a health boot camp company that is still run by her husband today.

Moments before patients received their surprise packages.

Then came the highlight of the day, where volunteers proceeded to distribute the goodie bags to each patient in their ward. We were accompanied by the BNM mascot, Si Kijang, and a cheerful clown, hoping to brighten the hospital corridors and make the experience even more lighthearted. It was a heartfelt sight to see the little patients' eyes light up, while nestled in their beds, at the sight of our peculiar group and the gifts we carried. Some were even startled upon seeing the clown as he was an unusual visitor for them. What was even more touching was that the parents were just as excited as the patients, if not more, as our presence offered them a brief moment of relief amidst the impending reality they faced every day.

Of course, we all know that volunteering is a great way to give back to the community. However, what is not often discussed is how impactful it can be for personal growth, one of which is the opportunity to build valuable skills. All through the tasks, we had the chance to interact with people from various backgrounds and positions—ranging from an ex-department director to a nine-year-old child. Navigating tasks with such a diverse group required effective communication and social skills, making the experience both daunting and gratifying.

On the other hand, the sharing session provided the volunteers with a poignant glimpse into a mother's experience of witnessing her firstborn child's battle with cancer. While most could not directly relate to Puan Myrzela’s experience, we all learned what it might be like to lose a loved one to a terminal illness. As a firstborn myself, I never expected to be struck by emotion when I signed up for the program that day. Listening to her story was deeply moving, offering a broader perspective and deepening our appreciation for life in a way we hadn’t anticipated. Safe to say, one of the most overlooked aspects of volunteering is the connection it fosters. Volunteering programs such as this offer the chance to get to know members of your community without commercial expectations, creating bonds built on shared values and experiences.

Through the program’s main event, it was clear that volunteering transcends simple acts of service. It cultivates a deep sense of purpose, one that is beyond our own interest. When one invests time in causes and people they genuinely care about, the perception of time enhances, as it becomes more meaningful each second. Making this selfless act of giving back to society one that not only brings fun and fulfilment, but also sparks inspiration and aspiration.

Beyond the glass: A touching moment as the mascot and volunteers waved at a patient through the window.

Come to think of it, while volunteering isn’t a medical solution, it offers a holistic approach to well-being. It encourages physical activity—whether through setting up events or delivering supplies—pushing you to step out of your home and engage with the world. Moreover, the connections fostered through volunteering help combat loneliness by shifting the focus outward, encouraging meaningful interactions with others. This external engagement can help reduce feelings of isolation and despair, ultimately improving our internal world.

As the program came to an end, an emotional paradox lingered as I felt both lighter with a renewed sense of gratitude, and heavier after witnessing the struggles of the little patients and their families. In trying to bring light into their world, they illuminated ours. Perhaps the true meaning of volunteering isn’t just about what we give, but what we gain in return—perspective, empathy, and a deeper appreciation for life.

By,

Marsya Mahfis,

Journalist,

Charisma Movement 24/25

About Author

Marsya is an Insights Analyst by day, and a pop culture fan by night who is passionate about the art of storytelling and how it can effectively convey emotions and shape perceptions to catalyse societal change.