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►Help and Support from American Cancer Society

Help and Support: Programs and Services for Cancer Patients and Families

Below are two descriptions of Volunteer Roles from the American Cancer Society:

* ACS Volunteer Role Title:  Cancer Resource Volunteer (Patient Service Volunteers)

Responsibilities: Partner with Mission Delivery to meet the needs of cancer patient, caregiver and survivor constituents by serving as a resource for information, guidance and support, and/or by providing one of the free American Cancer Society patient program services. Cancer Resource Volunteers may assist in developing and implementing local community outreach campaigns to the general public, employers and health care providers to increase awareness and referrals to the Society’s patient programs.

1) Call Back Program/Cancer Resource Volunteer (in person visits)*: Cancer Resource Volunteers make follow-up calls to those who have made contact with the American Cancer Society through the National Cancer Information Center (800.ACS.2345), website (www.cancer.org), local unit offices, the Stephanie H. Lane Cancer Resource Center, or local Society events or programs. “Call Backs” to patients, caregivers and survivors are to determine if their initial needs were met, provide feedback regarding unmet need, offer supportive listening, promote additional program and service utilization and establish a long-term relationship between these constituents and the American Cancer Society.

Qualifications: Volunteers should have good communications skills, the ability to mobilize others, sensitivity to the needs of cancer patients an ability to handle difficult or emotional situations, and to work independently. Multi-lingual/cultural volunteers are needed to provide call backs to members of diverse and underserved communities who are at greater risk of cancer incidence and mortality. Access to email or a fax preferred. Volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement form.

ACS Knowledge/Skills Desired: Demonstrates a passion for the fight against cancer, has a working knowledge of the Society’s mission and core programs, and has a willingness to commit to training/on going learning.

Staff Partner Responsibilities:Your staff partner will be responsible for scheduling key trainings (Call Back Program, Information Delivery, Patient Support, Doc Talks) conducted by the Stephanie H. Lane Cancer Resource Network and providing materials and tools utilized in the Call Back Program.

Time Commitment/Expectations:

- Timeline of Role:
Minimum one-year commitment, 2-4 hours per week.

- Meetings/Contacts:
Required to attend a Call Back Program training conducted by the Stephanie H. Lane Cancer Resource Network Staff, attend a Patient Support “skill set” regional training, and participate in Doc Talk teleconferences on a regular basis.

- Additional Resources:
Cancer Resource Volunteers will receive cancer information updates and message wheels, as appropriate. Additional “role play” training and coaching, designed to build and enhance active listening and communication skills will be made available.

Volunteer position may be combined jobs (in person visits AND call back) or else, one position or the other

* Volunteer Role Title:  Speakers Bureau Volunteer (Education and Services)

Responsibilities: Partner with ACS staff and/or other volunteers to meet the needs of constituents by serving as a resource for information and reference. Volunteers may assist in developing and implementing local community outreach campaigns to the general public, employers and health care providers to increase cancer and general health awareness, along with referrals to the Society’s patient programs whenever appropriate.

Speakers Bureau Volunteer Procedures: 1. An ACS staff member will contact you regarding forthcoming community events. Please respond to whichever events you are able to present at. You will then receive a phone call and/or email to confirm your event/s with more detailed information. 2. Contact the person in charge of the event to assure them you are coming as soon as you can; give them a phone number where they can reach you. This will give you the opportunity to learn about:

- Their specific needs and expectations;
- Time allotted for you to speak;
- The audience (number of people for hand-outs, the age, sex, and background of the audience);
- Arrange for audiovisual/other equipment from ACS or organization requesting service if needed;
- To obtain travel directions.

3. Contact Terri Gore (661) 945 7585 option #3 or email Terri.gore@cancer.org to order the materials you’ll need and to make arrangements to collect them up. Try to allow at least one week for ACS staff to prepare your material; we don’t have a large supply on-hand at the office and may need to place an order.

4. Begin your talk by reviewing the main points you want the audience to leave with (objectives). Emphasize these objectives again at the conclusion of your presentation.

5. Be a good listener—listen to the audience’s questions, interrupt only if you need to clarify the question.

6. Admit you don’t know the answer to a question. Simply say you don’t have that information and identify a way to get the information back to the group or individual after you have located the answer. You’ll get the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve provided accurate information AND emphasized the American Cancer Society’s mission to provide safe, accurate information!

7. NEVER give medical advice! It is an American Cancer Society policy to never give medical advice. Our role is to inform the public so individuals can make informed decisions in collaboration with their healthcare provider/s.

8. Remember to discuss other ACS programs and resources. ACS is a leader in research, education, patient services and advocacy.

9. Follow-up with ACS after the event—let us know via phone or email how the event went, the number of people who attended, and any observations you may have (such as needs for future events, key contacts within the organization, etc.)

Qualifications: Volunteers should have good presentation and communications skills, as well as be able to work independently. Multi-lingual/cultural volunteers are especially needed to provide presentations to members of diverse and underserved communities who are at greater risk of cancer incidence and mortality. Access to email or a fax preferred. Volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement form.

ACS Knowledge/Skills Desired: Demonstrates a passion for the fight against cancer, has a working knowledge of the Society’s mission and core programs, and has a willingness to commit to training/on going learning.

Staff Partner Responsibilities: Your staff partner will be responsible for scheduling key trainings (ACS orientation, program specific information/trainings, access to Doc Talks) conducted by the Stephanie H. Lane Cancer Resource Network and providing materials and tools utilized in designated area of interest.

Time Commitment/Expectations:  - Timeline of Role:Minimum one-year commitment, 2-4 hours per event.   - Meetings/Contacts: Required to participate in trainings listed above under “staff partner responsibilities” section.

- Additional Resources:
Volunteers will receive cancer information updates and message wheels, as appropriate.