By Adam Donnelly

Red Cross looking for volunteer HELP in Kamloops

Nov 20, 2018 | 3:52 PM

KAMLOOPS — For many Canadians recovering from serious injuries or surgery, the road back to health can be a long one. In those difficult times, the Canadian Red Cross is there to HELP.

Thanks to their Health Equipment Loan Program, those folks who find themselves needing equipment like wheelchairs, crutches, canes, or any other items that can help them care for themselves during convalescence can get what they need free of charge.

For anyone who has ever needed their services, the Red Cross is here to HELP, which stands for Health Equipment Loan Program. The service is there for anyone in need of medical equipment after they’ve suffered an injury, are recovering from surgery, or are facing mobility challenges.

“The majority of people that use our equipment would never be able to afford to go buy it,” Tim Larose with the Canadian Red Cross explained. “If you had to go buy five pieces [after having] a hip replacement, you’re talking in the thousands of dollars.”

Patients are referred to the program by their doctors, who help make a list of items they’ll need for their recovery. They then bring the list to the Red Cross HELP headquarters at 943 Victoria St., where a team of volunteers will fill their order and help answer any questions the patient might have.

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“Some of our volunteers have been here 10, 20 years,” Larose said. “As a result of the amount of time they’ve volunteered, they begin to understand how serious the need is in our community for this kind of a service.”

One such volunteer is Barbara Humphrey, who has been lending a hand with the Red Cross for close to 25 years. Humphrey says volunteering at the Red Cross can be tough, as people who access the service are generally going through a difficult time; it’s also rewarding to be able to give those patients peace of mind.

“They just come here and it’s a no-brainer,” Humphrey said. “We help them find all the stuff that they need, it doesn’t cost them anything. We just consider they make a donation to the Red Cross. It’s just easy, and they leave with a smile on their face because that weight has been lifted from them.”

The Red Cross HELP is looking for a little help of their own. Larose says they’re in need of volunteers to help with a number of tasks — from serving customers at the front counter, to maintaining equipment, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

With an aging population and demand for the services the program provides on the rise, the Red Cross is hopeful more compassionate community members step forward to provide the HELP with those in the region need.

If you want to volunteer with the Health Equipment Loan Program in Kamloops you can visit the Red Cross website, email Volunteer@RedCross.ca, call 1 (844) 818-2155, or go down to the office on Victoria Street for more information.