Volunteer Spotlight: Susan Wiercinski
Meet Susan Wiercinski
Susan is one of There Goes My Hero’s (TGMH) newest volunteers! Since joining us in September, we’ve been eager to learn what inspired her to get involved. Read on to discover what drove her to volunteer with TGMH.
Tell us about yourself.
I recently retired from a career in marketing and now spend my time doing the things I enjoy most – playing tennis, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I live in Baltimore County with my husband, Ed, and our 18(!) year old cat, Chino.
How did you first learn about TGMH?
I was talking with a friend after I retired and mentioned that I wanted to start volunteering. She sent me the link to There Goes My Hero. She knew of the organization after she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) about 12 years ago and needed a transplant.
What inspired you to get involved with us?
After watching my friend go through her treatment, bone marrow transplant, recovery, and finally beat AML, ironically, in 2021, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, another type of blood cancer. I had to have a bone marrow transplant as well, but I was able to be my own donor. During these two experiences, I learned more about the bone marrow donor database and how important it was to those who could not be their own donor and/or did not have a match within their immediate family. Now that I’m in “remission” and healthy enough to be around lots of people, I want to be able to help others whose lives are impacted by blood cancer.
Can you describe what volunteer opportunities you were involved in?
I only recently started volunteering—so far, I’ve done one Color the Registry bone marrow donor registry drive, where we signed up 4 people during my shift, one meal prep at the Johns Hopkins Hackerman-Patz Patient and Family Pavilion, where we prepared meals for and served 30+ patients and caregivers, and the annual HeroPalooza event, where I got to meet Erik Sauer who founded the organization. I’m looking forward to more opportunities with these wonderful people.
What was the most rewarding aspect of being a volunteer with us?
Other than knowing that the work you’re doing is going towards helping someone with blood cancer, or their caregiver, I can say that the people that I’ve met so far at TGMH are just wonderful. Oh, and after the one meal prep I did, Andrea sent a message saying we got a thank you note from one of the patient caregivers at Hackerman-Patz. That was really sweet of them to thank us. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the caregivers are going through a really difficult time too. Little things like that let you know that the work here matters.
Do you have any advice for someone who is thinking about volunteering with us for the first time?
Just sign up and do an event. You’ll meet great people, have some fun, and hopefully will be able to help someone who’s battling blood cancer.
Want to make a difference? Sign up here or email andrea@theregoesmyhero.org to learn more about the different ways you can be a Hero!