Turning grief into compassion: Robin Farr’s volunteer journey with MAID Family Support Society
At MAID Family Support Society (MFSS), volunteers are at the heart of what we do. They bring their lived experience, deep empathy, and a strong commitment to making sure no one goes through the journey of a loved one’s choice to use medical assistance in dying (MAID) alone. One of those volunteers is Robin Farr, whose path from grieving daughter to program manager has been shaped by personal loss and a desire to help others feel less alone.
Robin first connected with MFSS after her father chose MAID. “When my dad made that decision, I really needed to talk to someone who’d been through it, and there was no one,” she says. “I had so many questions and felt really alone. I didn’t want anyone else to have to feel that way so when I heard they were looking for volunteers I applied right away.”
Finding purpose through personal loss
That sense of isolation is what led Robin to volunteer. Like many who come to MFSS, she wanted to take something painful and turn it into something meaningful – to support othes who are navigating a similar experience.
She started out offering peer support, but before long she was also helping behind the scenes. “About six months in, Sig, our founder, asked for help with some of the operational stuff and I volunteered. Now she’s stuck with me,” Robin jokes.
These days as program manager, Robin helps with volunteer recruitment, outreach, and program development. It’s been rewarding, she says, to watch the organization grow and become a place where people can find connection and care when they need it most.
The power of shared experience
In her current role, one of the biggest challenges is making sure people know MFSS exists. “There are still people out there who don’t know where to turn. Ideally, offering support to family members will become a routine part of the MAID process. No one should be Googling for help after learning their loved one has chosen MAID.”
What’s been most powerful for Robin is how simple the support often is. “Most people I talk to don’t know anyone else whose loved one has chosen MAID,” she says. “They’re looking for someone who gets it. There’s nothing more powerful than just being there for someone when they need it.”
She also values the community that’s grown around the work. “We have such a fantastic team of volunteers. Even though we’re spread across the country, I’ve met a lot of them in person and count some as close friends. That’s been a pretty amazing bonus.”
Her story is a reminder of what this work is really about – showing up, listening, and making space for others in a time that can feel lonely and overwhelming. It’s about human connection, and the quiet power of saying, “I’ve been there too.”
