Way back when I was a teenager (approx 1982 or 1983), I volunteered at the Civic Hospital as a Candy Striper. Being a shy person and coming from a small town south of Ottawa, it was quite intimidating to come into the big city hospital. However, the nurses and staff and other volunteers were very kind. This experience made me realize I wasn’t cut out to be a nurse hahah. Although I have spent most of my career working in hospitals (ROH and TOH) in an administrative capacity.

After 100 volunteer hours, I was presented with a Teenage Volunteer Pin, which has been in my jewellery box ever since. The attached photo was taken on my last day being a Candy Striper. Please excuse the quality – it was taken with a Polaroid camera, a sign of the times.

I was also born at the Civic Hospital.