Updated February 18, 2010

The mandate of BC Cancer Agency Volunteer Services is to enhance the mission of the BC Cancer Agency and the experience of patients, family and friends during their cancer journey.

Many of us know the cancer journey, personally or by way of a loved one. It is not an easy road to travel; even harder without caring support. You can make a difference to someone traveling that road by volunteering with the BC Cancer Agency.

Whether you have been affected by cancer or just want to be involved in your community we welcome your application. Volunteers are a part of the multi-disciplinary team and play a vital role in the provision of high quality care and support to our patients, their family members, and staff.

The BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Centre is a diagnostic and treatment centre for Lower Mainland cancer patients.  Volunteer Services plays a vital role in providing high quality care and support for our patients and their families, and the purpose of our screening steps is to create and maintain a safe environment for both the Centre community and the volunteer, as well as ensure an appropriate match between volunteer and the task.

There are no educational prerequisites but compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental individuals match our patients’ needs well. Volunteer opportunities in the Vancouver Centre exist Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.  We expect volunteers to commit to one 3-4 hour shift per week with preference given to those able to make a one year commitment.  We DO NOT have volunteer opportunities for evenings or weekends.

Applying to become a Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering with the BC Cancer Agency, please print a copy of the Volunteer Application Form  complete it and fax or mail it to us (details on the form).

Book Buggy Volunteer: Tour the centre visiting with patients, visitors, and staff while offering them the opportunity to purchase a book.  Offer patients access to the complimentary blanket and head covering program all while visiting treatment and waiting areas throughout centre.

Cancer Information Centre Volunteer: Volunteers assist patients, family members, and the public access resource material from a library collection of books, videos, DVD’s etc. Also volunteers demonstrate the online resources available via the BCCA website and other relevant online sources.

Comfort Cart Manager Volunteer: Managing the Comfort Cart Program by purchasing food items, scheduling shifts, training Comfort Cart volunteers.

Chemotherapy Support Volunteer: To offer support to patients and their families attending Chemotherapy treatment in VC and to assist the Chemo staff as directed.

Comfort Cart Volunteer: Offering support to patients, staff and center visitors by offering affordable, convenient purchases of snack and food items while visiting patients in various treatment and waiting rooms throughout the centre.

Christmas Craft & Gift Sale Coordinator: Supporting Volunteer Services and its patient support programs by organizing and managing the Christmas craft and gift sale. Solicit donations/vendors, coordinate the display tables, and manage cash and other basic bookkeeping functions.

Inpatient Volunteer: To provide hospitality, and support to in-patients and their caregivers on Level 5. To take direction from medical staff and offer a friendly visit to those patients who may be without other support. Offer to assist medical staff as needed and appropriate.  NOTE:  completion of a certified Hospice training course is required.

Music Volunteer: To enhance the patient, family and staff experience in the Vancouver Centre by means of music played in specific locations in the centre. ie: Piano, harp, guitar.

Office Volunteer: Assist various departments such as Nutrition Oncology, Volunteer Services or Administration with a variety of tasks and office related duties.

Patient Escort Volunteer: Greet new patients, assist them with the completion of the Health Assessment form, escort them to the appropriate ACU clinic area.

Peer Navigator Volunteer: To support bilingual patients and their family members in their first visit within the Vancouver Centre. Volunteers need to be English and Cantonese/Mandarin speaking and former cancer patients within the last 5 years.

Pet Visiting Volunteer: Visit with patients and visitors in treatment waiting areas throughout the centre. Pets and owners must complete BC Pets & Friends visitation program or St. John’s Ambulance Dog Therapy Program prior to volunteering.

Radiation Therapy Greeter Volunteer:  Greet patients, and others to the RT unit, assist them with any directional needs, and escort them to the appropriate treatment area.  Take direction from RT staff with other requests for assistance as needed.

Relaxation Group Volunteer: Assisting the Relaxation Group facilitator by setting up and taking down the meeting room, greeting patients, providing soothing touch to patients when required and other duties as requested by the facilitator.

Therapeutic Touch Program Volunteer: Providing therapeutic touch to patients and family members in a supervised clinic atmosphere.

Sewing Volunteer: Work from home to make head coverings for patients. We will supply you with some pattern ideas to make head coverings that will be given away to both male and female patients who would like one.

Waiting Room Volunteer: To support patients, family members, visitors and others in various waiting rooms throughout the Vancouver Centre with a friendly visit, a fresh magazine, crossword or sudoko puzzle. Assist volunteer services to maintain well supplied and tidy waiting rooms.