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WIRF is one of Australia's leading organisations that is dedicated to improving the health of women and infants.

Volunteering is a Joy

Volunteering is a Joy
01Jul2015
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Helping clothe some of WA’s smallest babies and assisting families in need is inspiring work for volunteer Joy Mazzella.

Helping clothe some of WA’s smallest babies and assisting families in need is inspiring work for volunteer Joy Mazzella. 

She has volunteered for the Women and Infants Research Foundation (WIRF) for over a decade in the Special Care Nursery, Perinatal Loss and Social Work departments at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH), Subiaco.

“I began volunteering at KEMH in 2002 after retiring from fulltime work. I had my twins at the hospital and adore babies, so it was an easy decision where I wanted to volunteer my time and energy”, said Joy. 

Joy’s role involves coordinating knitting and sewing donations from over 300 community volunteers who make specialised garments for use in the hospital’s Special Care Nursery.

“Many of the babies born at KEMH are premature and require specific, tiny garments to accommodate their needs in the nursery”, said Joy. “We also provide special garments for bereaved parents to dress their baby in, as well as clothing packs for new-born babies from disadvantaged families”.

“I am constantly blown away by the generosity of many community based knitters and sewers, and at how beautiful some of the donated garments are. It feels like Christmas every time I come into work – when you open up the donations you never know what you will find in the parcel!”

WIRF coordinates over 100 volunteers within the Hospital’s grounds who work tirelessly to support patients and staff, and to assist in raising funds for the Foundation’s research. Volunteers work in the hospital’s café / gift shop and op shop, and provide support to patient care programs. 

Joy believes it is her that benefits most from the volunteer work she does. “I love making a difference to the lives of babies and children. The time that I spend, giving my time, helps in more ways than one can imagine and to find new friendships in doing so is an added advantage”.

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Contact details

Women and Infants Research Foundation
Carson House, King Edward Memorial Hospital
374 Bagot Road, Subiaco, WA 6008

Telephone: 08 6458 1437
Fax: 08 6458 1642
Email: info@wirf.com.au

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