The big C (as cancer is known) is one of the most dreaded diseases in the world. It strikes anywhere, anytime and anyone. Although a battle plan to defeat this horrible disease is in place, the foot soldiers (volunteers) needed to help win the battle are few. Won’ t you please enlist?

Fight against cancer

The fight against cancer has been raging for years and years. Dedicated scientists and doctors have spent entire life times to find a cure. The illusive cure is nowhere in sight but much has been learned in how to try and prevent, treat and manage the disease. Volunteers, play an important role in doing this.

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) calls volunteers the backbone and the lifeblood of their organisation; the foot soldiers in the fight against cancer. To show their appreciation they celebrate International Volunteers Day on the 5th of December every year. CANSA Care Centres around the country host volunteer gatherings on this day to salute and acknowledge their valuable contribution in helping to create a world without cancer!

Why volunteer?

CANSA’s acting CEO, Elize Joubert, summed it up perfectly when she said the following: “Oscar Wilde once said that the smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention and that is exactly what our CANSA volunteers do. With small (and big) gestures along with the dedication of their time, our volunteers are changing the lives of those affected by cancer.”

How you can help

CANSA needs volunteers to:

    • Help those affected by cancer to cope more effectively through home visits, counselling, support groups and the provision of assistive devices and equipment
    • Help with fundraising, with the planning, execution and wrap-up of their fundraising projects
    • Help with administration by answering the telephone, taking messages, doing filing, etc.

All newly recruited volunteers will receive a letter of appointment from a CANSA volunteer programme coordinator or other CANSA authorised person and the necessary training needed to be able to help.
If you don’t see yourself doing any of the abovementioned, volunteer anyway. CANSA will find a way to use your unique talents in some way or other.

How and where to volunteer

    • Sign up on the CANSA website http://www.cansa.org.za
    • Call CANSA toll-free on 0800 22 66 22 (during office hours)
    • Contact the CANSA Care Centre nearest to you.

What will be expected of you?

CANSA expects a volunteer to be a person who willingly and without any payment or other monetary reward performs a defined task or tasks for the Cancer Association of South Africa. CANSA will, however, reimburse volunteers for out-of-pocket expenses as per contract and prior negotiations. This will happen after having been duly trained and appointed as a CANSA volunteer. CANSA furthermore expects a volunteer to be a paid-up member of CANSA for (at least) the duration of his or her period of voluntary service. Volunteers are reminded that they represent CANSA to the public and not to damage the image of CANSA in any way.

How you will benefit

The benefits of being a CANSA volunteer include:

    • Opportunity to meet new people and feel valued
    • Opportunity to acquire new skills through initial and in-service training (with the possibility of eventual accreditation)
    • Opportunity to gain experience in a particular field of work
    • A letter of reference and service record after serving CANSA for one year
    • An opportunity to go on excursions and participate in functions both social and educational
    • The chance to work for a worthy cause; to contribute towards the fight against cancer.

 

Sources

CANSA celebrates International Volunteers Da. Retrieved from: http://www.cansa.org.za
FAQ’s: CANSA Volunteers. Retrieved from: http://www.cansa.org.za
Volunteer. Retrieved from: http://www.cansa.org.za