Volunteer to Help People Facing Cancer

Our Cancer Volunteer Page

Cancer Survivor Volunteer

Are you a cancer survivor with a heart to help someone else find hope and strength as they face treatment? Have you cared for a friend or loved one while they received cancer treatment? Whatever brings you to CanCare, we want to welcome you into our community of survivors!

Our mission at CanCare is to ensure that anyone facing cancer has a survivor by their side. We need you – and your unique voice as a cancer survivor or cancer caregiver – to bring hope and support to someone else who may be experiencing the challenges and the emotions that accompany a cancer diagnosis.

How the Application Process Works

1
Sign Up

Select "volunteer".
Enter your email.
Check email for form link.

2
Fill Out Form

Share details about yourself to help us get to know you.

3
Confirmation

Submit form.
Get confirmation email.
Schedule interview.

4
Welcome to CanCare

After the interview, we’ll guide you through the volunteer training.

Providing a survivor by the side of anyone facing cancer.

One on One Support Volunteers

CanCare survivor and caregiver volunteers engage in personal one-on-one online support with cancer patients and their caregivers. Volunteers are matched with clients by cancer type, treatment method, life stage, age, and gender. As survivors themselves, CanCare volunteers have the unique ability to relate and empathize with clients currently undergoing their diagnosis. This bond gives clients an outlet to discuss their personal feelings and cancer experiences that might otherwise be hard to express.

462
Volunteers
40,000+
Individuals Supported
nationwide support

CanCare Volunteer FAQs

How long does it take to be matched?

Matches are generally made within 2-3 business days after receipt of the request. A CanCare team member will reach out to you if for any reason there is a delay in making a match.

Who will I be paired with?

CanCare will match you with a cancer survivor or caregiver with similar cancer and treatment history. If there are other specifics you are seeking in your support volunteer, please note that on your request form and we will do our best to find the best match.

Can I speak with my match in person?

Most of our support volunteers provide support over the phone or online. If you and your match want to meet in person, you can talk about it together.

How long do I provide support as a volunteer?

The length of time that a one-on-one support connection lasts, depends on the client and volunteer. Our hope is that our survivors and caregivers will have support and a volunteer by their side as long as they need it.

How can I access my volunteer log in portal?

Please see this link to access your volunteer portal log in.

What is CanCare’s mission?

At CanCare, we're committed to ensuring no one faces cancer alone. By volunteering, you turn your Acinic Cell Carcinoma journey into invaluable support. Whether lending an ear, offering encouragement, or sharing experiences, your kindness brings hope and connection to others facing similar challenges. Together, we show them they're not alone in their journey.

What cancer survivor volunteer opportunities are available?
  • Visit survivors during treatment in hospitals or treatment centers.
  • Lead and participate in online support groups.
  • Provide one-on-one cancer support by phone, email, or online chat.

Your support is a simple yet profoundly impactful gesture that resonates deeply. We're grateful for our volunteers' tireless efforts, illuminating the lives of those facing cancer.

Learn More About Our Cancer Support

What is the role of a one-on-one volunteer at CanCare?

Volunteers offer personalized virtual support to individuals facing cancer challenges. Through phone calls, emails, and other online interactions, they provide compassionate assistance and companionship. Connect from the comfort of your home.

How do we match emotional support volunteers with clients?

Our matching process ensures effective support by considering factors like cancer type, stage, treatment, age, and gender. Whether survivor or caregiver, volunteers provide encouragement and understanding through channels like online chats or calls, making a real difference in their journey.

What can I expect from the volunteer training?

Our training program prepares volunteers to offer exceptional support to cancer patients and families. It covers vital skills like active listening, encouragement, and understanding the emotional toll of cancer.

  • Explore challenges faced by caregivers and cancer patients
  • Understand how these experiences affect emotions
  • Master the art of active listening
  • Connect deeply to offer meaningful support
Who leads CanCare’s training program?

Run by therapists and training specialists, our program ensures you're guided by experts. They'll familiarize you with CanCare's mission and goals, as well as our community outreach initiatives.

CanCare Values

Courageous

We bring hope through survivorship to those with cancer and their caregivers.

Compassionate

We ensure no one seeking our assistance experiences cancer alone.

Committed

We hold our relationship with those whom we serve as a sacred trust. We maintain the privacy and confidentiality of all our clients.

Connected

We strive to build goodwill in the communities that we serve.

Types of Volunteers at CanCare

Cancer Survivor Volunteers

Individuals who have lived with a cancer diagnosis volunteer to support others currently living with cancer. They offer understanding, empathy, and encouragement to patients and caregivers, ensuring no one faces cancer alone.

Caregiver Support Volunteers

These volunteers dedicate their time to emotionally support caregivers of cancer patients. They provide practical advice and a compassionate ear to help caregivers navigate their roles effectively.

Healthcare Volunteers

Healthcare volunteers offer emotional support and companionship to cancer patients and their families during medical appointments, treatments, or hospital stays, enhancing their well-being and comfort throughout their cancer journey.

Volunteer Training Dates

Our exceptional training program is led by a combination of therapists and training specialists. The training provides our volunteers with information about CanCare and how we serve others, the tools to sharpen their active listening skills, and the opportunity to work through their own personal cancer journey.

Here’s the upcoming virtual training dates:

2024 Online/Virtual Training Classes

Dates subject to change

November 16-17, 2024

What Makes CanCare Volunteers Effective? 

1. Support from Cancer Survivors

CanCare volunteers, who are all cancer survivors themselves, provide invaluable support rooted in firsthand experience and empathy. Offering a unique level of comfort and companionship, they intimately understand your journey, offering more than just trained listening ears.

2. Comprehensive Training

CanCare thoroughly trains volunteers to provide emotional support. Through comprehensive training, volunteers develop active listening skills and effective coping strategies, ensuring they're well-prepared to support you effectively.

3. Personalized Matching

Our volunteers stand out thanks to our careful matching process. Considering factors like cancer type, stage, treatment, age, and gender, we pair you with someone who truly understands. This personalized approach fosters empathy, ensuring support tailored to your cancer journey.

See What Our Volunteers Are Saying