Meet the Expert: Sonja, Mayo Clinic Volunteer

One very important but often overlooked role at Mayo Clinic is our volunteer staff. We have staff who give of their valuable time to help patients navigate the hallways, assist with calling elevators, pass out snacks in the hospital, and even behind the scenes tasks such as assisting with mailings and gatherings.

Individual departments at Mayo Clinic also have volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks. Today, we’re highlighting Sonja, one of our exceptional transplant volunteers in our Minnesota Transplant Center. Sonja volunteers through the Compassionate Care Companions service through the Mayo Clinic Volunteer Program. Sonja’s story is an interesting one, and her background is one of the reasons why her work is so valuable to our patients.

A special thanks to Sonja, for writing her story.

My stepdad (Ron) needed a heart transplant in 1988, when I was in my 20’s.  He was very sick and was in the hospital for almost 2 months.  We were all very scared, it was an unreal experience that no one expected.  While he was in the hospital, he was visited by a former Minnesota Gopher’s coach who had already received a heart transplant.  That visit changed Ron’s entire outlook.  He saw how healthy the coach looked, and it gave him hope!  It also helped with the fear of the unknown.  After his transplant, Ron also visited people in the hospital waiting for transplants.  Ron lived for over 28 more years, years we would not have had without his donor and everyone that makes transplantation possible.

Back then I never imagined that I would need a heart transplant someday.  In January of 2024, I had a heart and liver transplant.  My kidneys were unable to recover after the surgery, and I had a kidney transplant in September of 2024.  Having gone through the experience with Ron, the idea of transplantation was not as foreign to me.  I understood the anti-rejection drugs, the risks of infection, and many of the things that are foreign to new transplant recipients.  I also understood the importance of support, especially for those new to the transplant journey.  I think that the benefit of meeting someone who has gone through it can help someone feel less isolated, give them hope for a healthy future, and have someone to answer some of the many questions going through their heads about what things are like after transplant.

I waited in the hospital for 54 days before I received my transplant, I was too ill to leave without a new heart and liver.  During that time, I really would have liked to meet with other transplant recipients.  This was another reason that prompted me to contact Mayo last spring and ask if I could volunteer to visit transplant patients.  My husband Jim also volunteers with me and provides the caregiver’s perspective to the recipient and their caregiver.

We visit people hospitalized at St. Mary’s Hospital who are waiting, or who have recently received a transplant.  My typical day includes getting a list of the rooms that the transplant recipients are in.  The nurses and social workers are very helpful in identifying those that might benefit the most from a visit.  We visit them first. We visit as many people as we can.   Everyone’s needs are different, but unless they are very tired, they are usually very open to talking with us.  Some have a lot of questions about what life is like after transplant, how to manage the risks, the side effects of the medication, etc.  Some people want to share their stories and experiences.  Some want information, especially related to questions about the transplant journey.  Sometimes if they have a lot of questions or need more support, we can be there for over an hour.   We stay as long as it seems appropriate for their needs.  I think having support is extremely important.  Many transplant recipients don’t know anyone else who has gone through this, and it is very helpful to see how wonderful the outcome can be.  Most of the time they thank us and are glad that we came in to see them.  They are happy to see how healthy I look and that gives them hope.  I always bring up the transplant support group as a great way to get support from other transplant recipients.  One of the things I typically talk to them about is the importance of exercising as much as possible while in the hospital waiting for a transplant.  It really helps their recovery afterwards.

I am so grateful, and so happy with my second chance at life.  I can do things I could never do before (I had a congenital heart condition).  I have more energy than I’ve had in decades!  I think that seeing the great outcome of recipients (and there are many of us) is very encouraging and gives hope to those who are going through a difficult time.  The experience with my stepdad gave me the courage and confidence to get through this.  Some of the people that I have met with before and after surgery said that they were thinking about me after the surgery-thinking “I bet Sonja went through this”, and “I thought about you going to the state fair”, etc. This makes me feel that maybe what I am doing is making an impact.

We have a few more transplant recipient volunteers starting very soon, which will provide even more support and a variety of transplant experiences.

HELPFUL LINKS

• Explore Mayo’s Transplant Center
• Request an appointment
• Connect with others in the transplant discussion group on Mayo Clinic Connect