In May, Adriana will celebrate 20 years of volunteering at CHOC, with over 2,700 hours of service since she began at 16. Inspired by her own recovery from a traumatic brain injury, she now gives back by supporting families, training volunteers, and leaving a lasting impact on the hospital community.
Two decades of volunteering at CHOC
Adriana is celebrating 20 years of volunteering at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) this year and has no plans to stop anytime soon.
She began volunteering at the hospital at age 16 and has since logged more than 2,700 hours of service.
Healing and giving back
Adriana, who sustained a traumatic brain injury at the age of 8, spent a significant amount of time at her local children’s hospital relearning basic skills.
After recovering and returning to Southern California, Adriana underwent physical and occupational therapy at CHOC.
Adriana also underwent orthopedic surgery, performed by Dr. Afshin Aminian, at CHOC. She said, “The procedure provided the relief I needed to be able to walk more comfortably and do my everyday life activities with ease.”
She said, “I never forgot the doctors, nurses, and volunteers who put so much effort into helping me get to where I am today. They inspired me to give back in the ways I could, and for me, that meant volunteering.”
A proactive approach
Adriana still remembers her first day volunteering at CHOC in May 2005. “I was an anxious 16-year-old with only a vague idea of what I wanted to do. I just wanted to help improve things and make life easier for those around me in any way I could.”
She consistently upheld that proactive mindset as time went on. Always eager to help, she frequently checked in with the nurses to see if there was anything she could do or any tasks that needed attention. Gradually, she needed less guidance and became a reliable figure whom others could depend on.
“I found myself guiding other volunteers, being sought for advice, or being asked to handle difficult tasks because I was the right person for the job,” Adriana said.
Eventually, Adriana was asked to assume a lead role in Patient Hospitality Services (PHS), which she gladly accepted. This position taught her how to collaborate with a diverse group of people, from patients to volunteers, while ensuring efficient workflow and prioritizing patient care.
Daisy, a senior resource specialist with CHOC’s volunteer programs, said, “When given the opportunity to become a lead, Adriana eagerly took on the challenge of revamping our Patient Hospitality Services role and training new volunteers.”
Adriana finds it deeply rewarding to support hospital staff, allowing them to focus on patient recovery. She also enjoys training fellow volunteers and watching many of them advance in their careers. She’s always eager to lend a helping hand wherever possible.
A moment of connection
One moment that deeply resonated with Adriana happened during her volunteer work, when the mother of a patient noticed her limp and inquired about it. After a brief conversation, the mother shared that her child had also suffered a traumatic brain injury and was uncertain about his recovery. Adriana soon learned that his prognosis closely mirrored her own
The two connected over their shared experiences. Adriana was able to offer the mother peace of mind. She reassured her that, although her child’s journey would be long, there was hope that he could still lead a fulfilling and functional life.
Volunteers: The heart of support and compassion
Adriana’s role provides families with a reliable, comforting presence, offering them the support they need to regain a sense of normalcy during challenging times. Everyone can benefit from a helping hand, and that’s exactly where volunteers step in to make a profound impact. They take on the essential tasks that lighten the load, offering not just assistance, but real relief.
Explore more inspiring volunteer stories here.