When Paul Netz began treatment at Northwest Kidney Centers Lake City, his wife, Virginia, came with him to every session. Not liking to sit still, she decided to focus her energies to help out the clinic while her husband got dialysis.

For four and a half years, Virginia has continued to volunteer at Lake City three times a week, helping the staff during Paul’s treatments. That totals 30 to 40 hours a month.

“It’s my way of thanking them for what they do. If it weren’t for them, Paul wouldn’t be alive,” Virginia said.

Now it’s Northwest Kidney Centers’ turn to thank the Lynnwood resident. In recognition of her dedication, hard work and cheerful presence at the Lake City clinic, Virginia has been named our 2013 Volunteer of the Year. As a volunteer, Virginia lends a hand to the patients and medical receptionist in the clinic, stocking supplies or helping patients get comfortable. She also provides office support to several administrative departments at the adjoining Blagg Pavilion.

“The best thing about volunteering is the interaction with everybody,” Virginia said. “When you help out, it feels good. One patient says it’s like having an aunt there to take care of her.”

Virginia is one of more than 600 volunteers who donated time to Northwest Kidney Centers in the past year – a total of 8,276 hours in all. About one-third of that total time was related to dialysis operations – work with clinic staff, helping patients use a laptop computer or providing transportation to treatment. Two-thirds of the year’s volunteer support came at outreach and fundraising events, 50th anniversary parties for all patients, speakers bureau, committee meetings and mailing projects.

If you’d like to volunteer, contact Syrenka Slettebak at 206-720-8540 or at syrenka.slettebak@nwkidney.org.