The Duke Cancer Patient Support Program exists to create a humanistic environment for adults with cancer, as well as their family members, during the stress entailed in diagnosis, treatment, and after-care.

The Duke Cancer Patient Support Program has volunteer opportunities in the inpatient program, outpatient program, and in Solace Care.

The time commitment for each program is a minimum of one year, and specific opportunities are listed below.

Contact Information

Phillip Shoe, Volunteer Coordinator                                                    919-684-3651                                                                         
phillip.shoe@duke.edu

Volunteer Positions and Roles

Cancer Guides

Location: Hospital inpatient cancer units, Duke University Hospital

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

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

Inpatient Volunteers

Location: Hospital inpatient cancer units, Duke University Hospital

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

KidsCan! Volunteers

Location: Duke Cancer Center

Responsibilities:

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

Self-Image Program Volunteers

Location: Duke Cancer Center / Hospital inpatient cancer units, Duke University Hospital

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

Solace Care Program Volunteers

Location: Hospital inpatient cancer units, Duke University Hospital

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

Office Volunteer

Location: DCPSP Office, Duke Cancer Center

Responsibilities:

• Provide assistance to office staff
• Assist Clinic and Self-Image Volunteers as needed

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