Whether you're a cancer survivor, or a family member or friend of someone living with cancer, you have a lot of valuable, first-hand experience on coping that can help other people with cancer and their families and friends. Consider becoming a volunteer for a cancer organization or another type of organization that interests you, or offer to help someone you know who is coping with cancer in your community. Besides making an important difference in someone else's life, becoming a volunteer can bring a positive difference in your own life. Being a volunteer offers different rewards for everyone, but many volunteers say it provides a sense of satisfaction while helping them build new friendships and grow their network of support.

Getting started

Once you've made the decision to become a volunteer, think about your own interests or areas of expertise and the type of organization you’d like to volunteer for. Different cancer organizations have different goals. Some may focus on just one type of cancer or all types of cancer; serve the needs of people from a specific racial or ethnic group, religion, or culture; and/or offer support services to family members or other caregivers.

Here are some suggestions on how to find volunteer opportunities in your community:

• Tell your family, friends, coworkers, and health care providers that you want to get involved in cancer-related volunteer activities. Talk with them about your interests and ways you think you can help, and ask for their ideas about how you can volunteer.
  
  
• Find out about local volunteer programs where you live by contacting your hospital or cancer center, senior centers, associations, clubs, and places of worship to learn about their cancer volunteer programs and how you can get involved.
  
  
• Check your local newspaper, library, community center, and supermarket bulletin board for volunteer opportunities.
  
  
• Contact a cancer-related group that interests you. Get a list of patient information resources for ideas and contact information.

The following are types of programs provided by cancer organizations that often rely on the help of volunteers.

Service and support. These programs provide information and help with coping for people with cancer.

• Telephone hotlines. Volunteers are trained to be hotline counselors and give easy-to-understand information over the telephone and lend support by listening to patients' concerns. Get a list of telephone and e-mail cancer helplines.
  
  
• Some support groups for people with cancer are led by cancer survivors or volunteer counselors. Offer to co-lead or start your own cancer support group.
  
  
• Cancer support programs. These programs may offer emotional support to patients and their families and practical support by providing needed items, such as wigs, scarves, breast forms, and books. Other types of support include help with medical services, such as referrals for second opinions or specialists, legal services, and rides to medical appointments. Learn more about organizations that provide support buddies.

Awareness and education. Through workshops and presentations at schools, workplaces, health fairs, and on the Internet, cancer organizations raise awareness about cancer and educate people about cancer prevention and screening. Many also provide tips about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and follow-up care after treatment ends. Here's how you can help:

• Learn how to teach a session about cancer at your workplace, community center, or place of worship. Get free educational slides on common types of cancer to present to patient and community groups.
  
  
• Provide office services at your local cancer organization to help with the planning logistics of events.
  
  
• Join a committee that plans new educational programs.

Fundraising. To maintain services and programs for patients, such as free cancer screenings, outreach programs, education, and research, cancer organizations need to raise money. There are many fundraising activities you can participate in, such as:

• Walks, runs, and races
  
  
• Sporting events, such as golfing, bowling, and cycling
  
  
• Luncheons, dinners, fashion shows, and auctions
  
  
• Plays and concerts

Advocacy. Being an advocate means supporting and speaking in favor of a specific cause. As an involved citizen, you can help lead a local or even national effort to develop or change cancer policy issues. Cancer organizations advocate by:

• Helping cancer patients get the care they need, even if they don't have health insurance
  
  
• Encouraging participation in clinical trials (research studies involving people)
  
  
• Protecting patients from workplace discrimination because they have cancer or health-related problems
  
  
• Raising cancer awareness and speaking out about the need for more services, education, and research

Learn more about being a cancer advocate.

Helping people with cancer cope with everyday life

Keep in mind that you do not have to join an organization to make a difference in the life of someone with cancer. Sometimes, people find that just by helping family members, friends, or acquaintances in the community with everyday tasks brings joy and satisfaction. Here are some ways to help:

• Offer to bring a meal, run an errand, go to the supermarket, or do household or yard chores.
  
  
• Help someone get ready for doctor's appointments by making a list of questions to ask the doctor.
  
  
• Drive someone to doctor's appointments and offer to wait and drive the person home afterwards.
  
  
• Help someone find more information about their specific disease. The cancer types on Cancer.Net are a good place to start.
  
  
• Share with someone who has a similar diagnosis about the treatment choices you made and why.
  
  
• Use your experience to help patients feel comfortable talking about their concerns with their doctors.
  
  
• Listen to and acknowledge someone’s concerns and provide reassurance if you feel comfortable doing so.

More Information

Advocacy and Policy

Caregiving

Additional Resources

American Cancer Society: Supporters

National Cancer Institute: Ways You Can Make a Difference in Cancer

Last Updated: June 15, 2009