‘I’ve had patients look at us and say — now I know I’m going to be okay’
Michele Mason used to be terrified of hospitals. She said prior to her cancer diagnosis, even walking through the doors of one made her physically ill.
“I ended up spending a great deal of time in hospitals during my journey to fight cancer,” Michele said.
Michele was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. In the following four years, she received radiation therapy and seven surgeries at Salem Hospital. She started volunteering in 2023, a year after her final surgery.
“When I survived and was on the other side, I knew it was for a purpose, and I was moved to give back somehow,” Michele said. “To my surprise, I was drawn [to Salem Health] to volunteer to show my appreciation and to feel like I’m doing something positive for the patients.”
Helping patients through volunteering
Now Michele volunteers for Salem Health Cancer Center, as well as the pet therapy program. In the Cancer Center, she prepares the binders and books patients are given when they come into the hospital to prepare for surgery or treatment.
“It’s given me an opportunity to come full circle,” Michele said.
Her love of golden retrievers is what led her to pet therapy.
“I had a golden retriever who died the night of my biopsy and tore my heart out,” Michele said. “Five days later, I got my [cancer] diagnosis.”
As a survivor, she was determined to get another dog.
Michele and her golden retriever, Bailey, became a family in 2020. In 2023, Bailey received certification as a therapy dog.
Since then, the dog owner said she’s watched Bailey spread joy to patients and staff alike.
Making a difference in health care
“More than once we’ve been chased down so a family member could ask for Bailey to visit one of their loved ones,” Michele said. “We turn on our heels and we go to the patient’s room. I’m just the leash holder, but Bailey is doing the work and bringing the love.”
Bailey has traversed across Salem Hospital, from the Emergency Department to the Pediatrics unit.
“I’ve had patients look at us and say — now I know I’m going to be okay,” Michele said.
She encourages anyone interested in hospital volunteer opportunities to consider Salem Health.
“You will give so little and get back so much,” Michele said. “The reward for what you do around the hospital is feeling like you’re making a difference. Not having any knowledge of medicine whatsoever, you can go into an environment that would normally be intimidating and scary and you can take comfort because you’re providing comfort to others during the most difficult times in their lives.”
Michele said she’s been giving back to the community for almost 20 years, through organizations like the Salem Women’s Service Club, but now the hospital is her number one place for volunteer work.
How to become a hospital volunteer
Are you interested in volunteering at Salem Health? Click here to learn more about how you can give back and join our team.