What:

Gonzalez, a student at Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, Fla., became certified as a hospice volunteer last year. In a six-week training program, she learned about the steps in the death process, and

	Lorinda Gonzalez, who has SMA, helped support MDA and local fire fighters at a Fill-the-Boot drive in West Palm Beach, Fla., in August.

how to help hospice patients during their final days. She completed a group orientation at the Vero Beach Hospice and soon will begin working with patients one-on-one. The experience has strengthened her desire to attend medical school, but she’s also taken an interest in speech pathology.

How:

In high school, Gonzalez participated in a certified nursing assistants program, completed several clinical hours, volunteered in the local medical community and completed a training program. When a hospice team visited her high school to discuss volunteering, Gonzalez decided to pursue it. She was also inspired by hospice workers who cared for her late grandmother.

On Helping Others:

“With the hospice patients, I’ve learned to appreciate the idea of making every single day count. If I can help them enjoy their last days, then that’s a good thing. I’ve learned to not only appreciate my life, but also to appreciate those around me.”