Married volunteers share passion for serving others

When Dick and Mimi Murphy started volunteering at MD Anderson in 2011, they had no idea how much giving back would impact the patients they served. They certainly didn’t know how much it would impact their own lives. 

With more than 5,000 volunteer hours between them, the Murphys look forward to their weekly drive to MD Anderson’s Texas Medical Center Campus from their home in Sugar Land, about 20 miles southwest of Houston. Before COVID-19 paused on-site volunteering, Mimi helped once a week with the coffee cart and seasonally at the Children’s Art Project Pop-Up Shop. Dick volunteered in the Patient Relaxation Area.   

When volunteering resumed in 2022, the Murphys were eager to get back. Today, Dick is a volunteer navigator, and Mimi volunteers at Cancer Connection, where patients and caregivers can visit with cancer survivor and caregiver volunteers in a comfortable setting. In their new roles, the Murphys quickly put to use the skills they’d learned from their previous positions.   

“I missed the contact with people and everything about volunteering. I’m glad they found a new place for me,” says Mimi. “I’m happy to help patients get snacks, a hot drink and some kind words during their visit.” 

Like they never left 

“In all of the volunteer roles, we’re there to help patients resolve any issues and, as a navigator, get them to their next appointment,” Dick says. “Some issues are easy to resolve – like ‘Where’s elevator C?’ Sometimes they’ll ask for the name of a clinic without knowing the formal name, and you have to figure out where they need to go.” Now, it’s second nature to the Murphys, who credit the Volunteer Services and Merchandising staff and Information Desk staff for helping with the tough questions.  

Alleviating stress for patients is the Murphys’ goal.  

“When patients come up to you, you can sense they need some assistance,” Dick says. “You look at their phone or paperwork, and you give them directions. If the information I provide doesn’t seem to completely register with them, I say, ‘Follow me,’ and off we go to their destination. Of course, we can’t answer every question, but if they’re lost, hungry or thirsty, it’s a big deal if we can help.” 

A standing appointment to volunteer at MD Anderson

The Murphys agree that volunteering at MD Anderson is among their most rewarding experiences. Their advice to new volunteers? Be flexible, be natural and be yourself. 

“Just try it!” Mimi encourages others who are considering volunteering at MD Anderson. “You get a little something out of every interaction.” 

Volunteering is so important to the Murphys, in fact, that they try to minimize their time away, even when on vacation.  

“It’s important to us. It’s our commitment. The patients, caregivers and MD Anderson count on us,”  Dick says. “We schedule everything around volunteering.”

Learn about volunteer opportunities at MD Anderson.