By: Shelly Makrugin, Senior Communications Advisor, Canadian Red Cross
Laura Enekegho is a fourth year PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Alberta. When she isn’t in a laboratory, classroom, or volunteering on campus, you will find her at the Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) depot in Edmonton as a client services volunteer.
The Health Equipment Loan Program is a Canadian Red Cross program that provides short-term and long-term health equipment to people recovering from illness or injury. The program empowers people to live with independence and dignity by providing a variety of equipment to safely meet the needs of everyone.
The program is currently available in seven provinces and territories and made possible by the support of our Canadian Red Cross volunteers.
“When you see people recovering from health challenges or things like knee replacements, you can really see that progression and that the equipment really helped with that,” says Laura. “Getting to see those journeys is so fulfilling. It helps you feel connected to the team and really making that impact in society."
Laura’s dedication to the Health Equipment Loan Program and the impact it has on those who use it is evident in her approach as a client service volunteer. Her attention to detail and genuine care for individual needs are key aspects of what makes her experience so fulfilling.
“Something I really try and make sure I do is ask [people] how [the equipment] worked for them,” says Laura. “There's so many stories behind that question. You can really see their journey throughout the months that they've had [the equipment].”
This approach gives Laura a meaningful opportunity to connect with those who use the program by understanding their experiences and the impact the equipment has on their recovery.
She is also an active volunteer on campus with Women in Science, Engineering & Research (WiSER) and the Women in Science and Engineering Club (UA-WiSE). Laura says she has always strived to connect with her community and learns about herself through volunteering.
Volunteering has also impacted people in Laura’s life with friends asking how they can get involved in volunteering. She suggests for anyone considering volunteering, to look at their skills and what they enjoy, and find something that fits for them.
Laura volunteers weekly and plans to continue while she pursues her PhD. After that, she plans on applying to medical school and potentially pursue a career as a clinician scientist, applying current research in the lab directly to patients.
If you’re interested in volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross, you can find opportunities on our Volunteer page. Volunteer experiences are made to fit with your schedule, interests, and skill set.
To learn more about the Health Equipment Loan Program in your area, visit our Health Equipment Loan page.
Laura Enekegho is a fourth year PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Alberta. When she isn’t in a laboratory, classroom, or volunteering on campus, you will find her at the Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) depot in Edmonton as a client services volunteer.
Discover the Impact of the Health Equipment Loan Program
The Health Equipment Loan Program is a Canadian Red Cross program that provides short-term and long-term health equipment to people recovering from illness or injury. The program empowers people to live with independence and dignity by providing a variety of equipment to safely meet the needs of everyone.The program is currently available in seven provinces and territories and made possible by the support of our Canadian Red Cross volunteers.
“When you see people recovering from health challenges or things like knee replacements, you can really see that progression and that the equipment really helped with that,” says Laura. “Getting to see those journeys is so fulfilling. It helps you feel connected to the team and really making that impact in society."
Laura’s Role as a Client Service Volunteer
Laura’s dedication to the Health Equipment Loan Program and the impact it has on those who use it is evident in her approach as a client service volunteer. Her attention to detail and genuine care for individual needs are key aspects of what makes her experience so fulfilling. “Something I really try and make sure I do is ask [people] how [the equipment] worked for them,” says Laura. “There's so many stories behind that question. You can really see their journey throughout the months that they've had [the equipment].”
This approach gives Laura a meaningful opportunity to connect with those who use the program by understanding their experiences and the impact the equipment has on their recovery.
How Volunteering Helped Laura’s Personal Growth
Volunteering is nothing new for Laura. She first started volunteering at the age of 12, helping young new Canadians with their schoolwork after she and her family immigrated to Canada from Nigeria in 2012.She is also an active volunteer on campus with Women in Science, Engineering & Research (WiSER) and the Women in Science and Engineering Club (UA-WiSE). Laura says she has always strived to connect with her community and learns about herself through volunteering.
Inspiring Friends to Volunteer and Shaping her Future
Volunteering has also impacted people in Laura’s life with friends asking how they can get involved in volunteering. She suggests for anyone considering volunteering, to look at their skills and what they enjoy, and find something that fits for them.Laura volunteers weekly and plans to continue while she pursues her PhD. After that, she plans on applying to medical school and potentially pursue a career as a clinician scientist, applying current research in the lab directly to patients.
If you’re interested in volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross, you can find opportunities on our Volunteer page. Volunteer experiences are made to fit with your schedule, interests, and skill set.
To learn more about the Health Equipment Loan Program in your area, visit our Health Equipment Loan page.
