From early clinical trials of anti-fibrotic drugs to the Winnipeg Walk for PF, respiratory therapist and dedicated volunteer Debbie Homik is connected, in so many ways, to people living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF).
Married to respirologist Dr. Lawrence Homik, Debbie began working with people with PF, while doing clinical trials. The clinical trials could last from one to three years and clinic visits for participants up to four hours.
“That’s when I really got to know these patients and their needs and became passionate about working with them. I just came to love them,” she says.
Starting the Winnipeg Support Group
Before there were even treatments for the disease, information was scarce and the future looked bleak. Debbie connected with the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF) early on, sharing some of the patient information it provided.
She also realized a support group for these patients, and their caregivers, could be beneficial in many ways, offering information, peer support and hope. CPFF provided some early funding and a start-up kit for support group leaders.
Along with Amy Webb, whose father had passed away from PF, Debbie got to work, and in November 2017, the Winnipeg team held its first PF support group meeting.
The Winnipeg support group now
Today, the Winnipeg Support Group meets in-person on the second Thursday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. A separate caregivers group meets via Zoom on the third Thursday of the month from 7 to 8 p.m.
“People often show up early to our in-person meetings to socialize and re-connect with one another, before the program begins,” says Debbie. “We even asked if people would prefer to meet via Zoom during the winter, which can be quite cold and nasty here in Winnipeg. They said no.”
Other opportunities to connect include a December pot-luck event and a June picnic. And group members often make their own plans to meet up with others or call one another between meetings.
And when Debbie retired from work last year, the group’s June picnic was also a surprise retirement party for her. “It was just lovely,” she says. “I get back just as much, or more, as I give by leading these meetings.”
Going national
From decades of working in the PF field, Debbie is uniquely connected to recruit expert speakers for support group meetings and for a PF Education Forum Day she and Amy organize each September.
Recently, many of these presentations have been recorded and are available for viewing from the CPFF website in the video library.
Helping with the Winnipeg Walk
Last year, CPFF held its first Winnipeg Walk for PF, with more than 300 people participating. Debbie volunteered at the event and promoted it in advance to the support group members and by sending out emails to a list of 180 Winnipeg PF contacts.
This year, Debbie will be there again, along with her husband, and perhaps her two grown children and their families.
Volunteering with purpose
“People need a purpose, and volunteering to help those facing a PF journey, gives me purpose,” says Debbie. “I have a passion for this work and I love these people. Many of them have become friends. We are like a family, and I hear from them all the time about how much our support group means to them.”
What volunteering can do for you
It can be a pleasure to give back to your community. You don’t need to take on a leadership role, just try helping out at an event for a few hours, or connecting one-on-one on a regular basis with someone who can use your help or company.
Volunteering can be uplifting and satisfying, especially if you’re feeling isolated or lonely.
“It helps to do something for someone else, when you‘re feeling down,” says Debbie. “It can give you purpose and you’ll meet some wonderful people, both other volunteers and the people you are helping.”
Inspired to volunteer? Click here to learn more.