There are many ways to volunteer with the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program:

• Cancer Guides
• Docent Volunteers
• Inpatient Volunteers
• KidsCan! Volunteers
• Self-Image Program Volunteers
• Solace Care Program Volunteers
• Office Volunteers
• Outpatient Volunteers

Cancer Guides

Location: Duke University Hospital inpatient cancer units

Responsibilities:

• Assist medical teams by serving as a liaison between the medical staff and patients
• Provide hospitality to patients and families in exam rooms
• Inform patients and families of resources available to them, including all Duke Cancer Patient Support Program resources

Time Commitment: A minimum one-year commitment for all new volunteers. A four-hour shift, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., one day per week, Monday through Friday.

Docent Volunteers

Location: Duke Cancer Center

Responsibilities:

• Escort patients and families to clinics, shop, café, and other areas of the Duke Cancer Center
• Give tours to patients and families visiting the Duke Cancer Center facility

Time Commitment: A minimum one-year commitment for all new volunteers. A two-hour shift, one day per week, Monday through Friday.

Inpatient Volunteers

Location: Duke University Hospital inpatient cancer units

Responsibilities:

• Provide hospitality to patients and family members in the inpatient cancer units
• Offer a listening ear
• Give information about hospital and community resources
• Make appropriate referrals to counselors and medical professionals

Time commitment: A minimum one-year commitment for all new volunteers. Two hours per week minimum, with days, evenings, and weekends available.

KidsCan! Volunteers

Location: Duke Cancer Center

Responsibilities:

• Assist staff with program activities during support sessions
• Offer hospitality to children and families

Time Commitment: A minimum one-year commitment for all new volunteers. 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., the second Monday of each month during the academic year.

Self-Image Program Volunteers

Location: Duke Cancer Center and Duke University Hospital inpatient cancer units

Responsibilities:

• Assist patients with self-image products, such as wigs, hats, turbans, etc.
• Give information about other self-image resources in the community and through the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program
• Offer a listening ear

Time commitment: A minimum one-year commitment for all new volunteers. A four-hour shift, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., one day per week, Monday through Friday.

Solace Care Program Volunteers

Location: Duke University Hospital inpatient cancer units

Responsibilities:

• Provide a comforting presence to patients at the end of life
• Provide respite for families facing a loved one’s end of life
• Sit with, read to, and/or play music for patients

Time commitment: A minimum one year commitment for all new volunteers. This volunteer opportunity is on an as-needed basis. It also requires eight additional hours of training. Undergraduate students are required to volunteer in another of our programs for at least one semester before joining the Solace Care Program.

Office Volunteer

Location: DCPSP office, Duke Cancer Center

Responsibilities:

• Provide assistance to office staff
• Assist clinic and self-image volunteers as needed

Time commitment: A minimum one-year commitment for all new volunteers. Two to four hours a week, Monday - Friday.

Outpatient Volunteer

Locations: Oncology treatment center and the brain tumor, medical, prostate, surgical, and radiation oncology clinics

Responsibilities:

• Provide hospitality to patients and family members in outpatient clinics as they wait to see a physician to receive treatment
• Orient new patients to clinics
• Offer a listening ear
• Escort patients to tests, food court, and other hospital areas
• Serve refreshments
• Give information about hospital and community resources
• Make appropriate referrals to counselors and other resources

Time commitment: A minimum one-year commitment for all new volunteers. A four-hour shift, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., one day per week, Monday through Friday.