Hospice volunteer radiates compassion

A longtime hospice worker is being recognized nationally as a Daily Point of Light.

By ROBERT FARLEY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 1, 2002

PALM HARBOR -- If she once shone just statewide, longtime volunteer Dorothy LeCain will now shine nationally as the Daily Point of Light for Wednesday, March 6.

LeCain, 74, of Palm Harbor, was selected for the national award in recognition of her efforts with the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, where she has volunteered for more than a decade.

LeCain works with the most challenged nursing home patients, some of whom are not able to speak. LeCain uses gestures and sign language and even created a magnetic board with words such as "yes," "no" and "thirsty" so her patients could communicate with her.

She also has been an "11th hour" volunteer, providing comfort to patients and their families when death is imminent. And she was one of the first volunteers to care for patients with HIV and AIDS.

In November 2000 Gov. Jeb Bush honored her for her exemplary volunteer work with a state Points of Light Award. This latest award will bring LeCain letters from Jeb's brother and father, President George W. Bush and former President George Bush.

"It's wonderful for hospice, and it's wonderful for me," LeCain said Thursday. "It's thrilling."

It's also a bit of a surprise, she said.

LeCain has had to drastically scale back her volunteering in the past year to care for her husband, Rowland, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. At the first of this year, his disease progressed to the point that he needed professional care.

That has allowed LeCain to resume some of her volunteer work, caring for patients in assisted living facilities. It provides a release, she said.

LeCain said her work in nursing homes has proved rewarding.

"I just chat and listen and become a friend," she said. "It's nice because you have the time to be a friend to somebody that has been pronounced untreatable and whose life is coming to an end."

At some point, she plans to get back into her 11th hour counseling.

"That's where my heart lies," she said.

LeCain's selection as a Daily Point of Light comes as a consolation of sorts. Kathy Roble, the hospice's director of volunteer services, actually nominated LeCain for the prestigious Presidents Service Award. People nominated for the award who don't win are considered for Daily Points of Light awards.

The award is given by the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network in partnership with the Knights of Columbus and the Corporation for National Service. On Wednesday, LeCain will be profiled on the Web site www.pointsoflight.org. "She has been there for patients and families doing whatever they need for her to do," Roble said. "She also is really, really good at mentoring other volunteers by telling the stories of the patients she has served."

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