Death has no timeline, and while individuals can do their best to prepare themselves and their families for the inevitable, it is ultimately something out of our control. When the time comes, it is soothing to be in the presence of someone caring and compassionate. That is why Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has introduced a new volunteer program focused on comforting dying inpatients who do not have family or other loved ones who can be there.

CFVH has implemented the No One Dies Alone (NODA) program, an international program that trains volunteers to provide companionship for dying individuals in hospitals. In May of 2024 CFVH held an initial interest meeting for the program. Now, eight months later, the hospital has begun training volunteers and they will start serving patients in the coming weeks. 

NODA volunteers are given specialized training in compassionate communication, comfort care, death and dying, health care ethics and spiritual care. The training began in January and will be held the third Saturday of every month with the next session slated for Feb. 15. 

The program is first and foremost about providing comfort to the patient and respecting their needs. The needs and wants of each patient will vary. Volunteers can expect to do activities such as playing relaxing music, reading to the patient, speaking softly to them or even just being present so the patient knows they are not alone. 

Between students in FTCC’s nursing program and community volunteers over 70 individuals have now been trained and will soon begin logging hours and making a difference in these patients’ lives.

Patients themselves or their family members will provide consent for these volunteer services. 

When a patient is put on comfort care orders, meaning they have 72 hours or less that they are expected to live, someone on their care team will put in a referral that requests a NODA volunteer. Whether the patient needs 24/7 care or respite care, volunteers will be alerted to the need and will be able to sign up through SignUpGenius (a process that is reviewed during training) and if they are available to volunteer they register for two hour slots. 

While most CFVH volunteer programs require individuals to work six months and at least four hours a month, that stipulation is waived for this program due to the inconsistent demand for the service.

Witnessing a death can be a traumatic experience that is difficult to process. CFVH acknowledges this and volunteers will be able to access counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program free of charge to receive support for the work they are doing.

Cape Fear Valley Hospice was started in 2023 and the current hospice unit has only eight beds, but soon hospice will expand to a freestanding unit on Legion Road. Once this expansion takes place volunteers will be able to serve at both locations. 

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. Applicants are asked to remain patient as staff reviews submitted forms.