Doctors and nurses are the most visible face of cancer care, but at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, a mission-critical cavalry of dedicated volunteers does everything from patient pick-ups at the airport to wig fittings.
Casey Costello leads that cavalry. As manager of volunteer services and supportive programs, Costello has served in this role for nearly six years, getting to know hundreds of volunteers whom she appreciates even more during National Volunteer Week, which is celebrated April 21 to 27 this year. Fred Hutch has more than 100 active volunteers and is hosting a volunteer appreciation dinner on April 24.
Some volunteers are young people looking toward a career in health care, some are retirees wanting to give back, others are former patients.
“They know the organization,” Costello said. “Many volunteers say, ‘Fred Hutch saved my life.’”
Costello worked as a volunteer coordinator at Providence Hospital in Everett for 10 years before coming to Fred Hutch. A human development major in college, she loves working with volunteers and being part of a healthcare organization in a nonclinical capacity.
“Volunteers offer so much,” she said. “They bring so much to the table. They want to be here, coming on their own dime and on their own time.”
Giving back to her community has been fundamental to Costello for years. She volunteered in college at day camps and at her children’s schools when they were growing up. She instilled the importance of giving back to your community in her children; her teen son recently signed up for his third summer volunteering at a camp for special needs kids.
Costello’s role also requires her to be on call every third weekend for any issues that arise at Fred Hutch’s patient lodging. She may have to field a call in the middle of the night to troubleshoot everything from a patient emergency to a maintenance issue impacting guests.
