Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has implemented a new volunteer program focused on providing companionship to dying inpatients who do not have family or other loved ones able to be with the patient during the end of their life.

The No One Dies Alone (NODA) program originally began in 2021 at Sacred Heart Medical Centre in Eugene, Ore., and is now an international program that provides Compassionate Companions for dying individuals in hospitals who would otherwise die alone.

“Whether talking softly, playing relaxing music, or simply holding vigil, our NODA volunteers act as a reassuring presence at the bedside of the dying patient when no friends or family are available to be with them during their final days of life,” said NODA Coordinator and Nurse Educator Rachel Thurnher in a press release.

NODA volunteers are given specialized training in compassionate communication, comfort care, death and dying, health care ethics, and spiritual care. The training is held in the health system’s Simulation Lab and includes the opportunity to practice being a compassionate companion.

Volunteers who would like to join the NODA program can call (910) 615-6783 or go to https://www.capefearvalley.com/volunteer-services for more information.