Recognizing a Volunteer Extraordinaire

Volunteers are philanthropists of time; their investment of time provides a great and immeasurable impact on our capacity to develop the profession of nursing. This year we are proud to celebrate Aliya Abbasi, second year nursing student at the Saskatoon Campus, as the College of Nursing 2017 Volunteer Extraordinaire.

Aliya is a class representative on the Saskatchewan Nursing Student Association (SNSA) and the nursing representative on the University of Saskatchewan Student Union. She is not only busy volunteering her time for University of Saskatchewan activities, she is also very active in the community, volunteering at Canadian Blood Services, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Saskatoon City Hospital, the Saskatchewan Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured and previously with Autism Services Saskatoon, where she is now employed.

Abby Simpson, 3rd year nursing student and President of the SNSA, nominated Aliya for this award. “As a member of the SNSA, Aliya has initiated several drives, including the Adopt a Family program during Christmas, donating food for the Rock 102 Stuff the Bus campaign and spearheading the first ever Women’s Pamper Night at The Lighthouse Supported Living Inc., which connected students from around Saskatoon to cut hair, do makeup, gather donations and provide support to women at the shelter. Aliya is an incredible leader that continually inspires her peers to get involved and make a change. Through the programs Aliya has organized, she has provided the opportunity for her classmates to become involved both within the College of Nursing and the community. Her passion is contagious and truly an admirable quality that radiates among those surrounding her.”

“I started volunteering because it gives me numerous opportunities to create a positive impact both locally and globally,” said Abbasi. “I often felt helpless when reading about social justice issues; however, volunteering has provided me with the tools and resources necessary to help those in need. I would strongly encourage our student leaders to serve their communities, as volunteering not only allows you to see the world, but also to make a difference in it."

Tammy Jackson from Saskatoon City Hospital has known Aliya for three years and points out that Aliya has dedicated over 50 hours of volunteer service at the hospital. “Aliya volunteers in our Client Companion program where she provides social and emotional support to patients and families. Some of the activities she has been a part of planning and implementing include baking with patients, board games, playing cribbage, taking patients for walks, decorating the units, arts and crafts and simply listening when needed. Aliya’s assistance has been greatly appreciated. She is very determined to become a nurse and appreciates giving back to her community.”

“Over the past seven years, Aliya has played a significant role in leading and facilitating various charity events around the city; she has successfully planned annual dinners, fundraisers and workshops that have supported the local homeless population here in Saskatoon,” says Lighthouse Program Coordinator Myda Khan. “Internationally, Aliya has volunteered with Free the Children to help build a well and collect school supplies for a community in Rwanda and raised money to build a school at a village in Kenya, as she is extremely passionate about providing children with an opportunity to receive an education. Aliya has a natural tendency to care for humanity, in particular with those who are disadvantaged. It seems to me that this compassion, alongside her keen interest in science, is what drives her to be a successful health care practitioner.”

Anna Pacik, College Relations Officer, proudly presented this award to Aliya. “Aliya Abbasi is the type of caring, dynamic, community-minded nursing student the College of Nursing proudly calls our own. As a philanthropist of her time, Aliya has continued to give, even while taking her nursing education – which is no easy feat! With a clear path to a nursing profession augmented by many volunteer opportunities, Aliya’s future as a Registered Nurse shines brightly.”