Volunteering Makes a Difference

Patients and visitors spend long hours in the Chemotherapy Clinic. Volunteers who are previous patients or caregivers provide support by:

• offering additional comforts such as warm blankets, ice water, magazines
• delivering snacks and light lunches
• providing information about programs and services available to patients
• assisting staff in maintaining a clean environment

Are individuals living in communities outside of Winnipeg who:

• Help people in their area connect to available cancer services and support
• Are members of the Manitoba Cancer Network and provide a community perspective on the work of the network members

The Guardian Angel Caring Room provides wigs, headwear, and laryngectomy stoma covers to CancerCare patients who may be experiencing the side effects of cancer treatment. These items are provided at no cost to the patient. Volunteers in the Caring Room help out by:

• assisting patients in choosing and fitting wigs and headwear 
• logging loans into a computer system (Microsoft Excel)
• brushing and styling wigs
• accepting returns and donations of headwear and wigs
• booking patient appointments into a computer system (Microsoft Outlook) and responding to requests for information

People who have a cancer experience as either a patient or a family member may choose to become involved as an advisor to the CCMB team in the following ways:

• ongoing committees and working groups
• speaking about their healthcare experiences to groups of leaders, staff and healthcare providers
• participating in focus groups aimed at understanding patient experience
• providing feedback on patient education materials, policies and documents, or discussion topics via email, telephone or online

Located at CCMB's McDermot Avenue, the Patient and Family Resource Centre provides information to assist patients in understanding their cancer diagnosis. Volunteers in this area provide support in:

• helping patients find material on cancer, treatments and methods of coping
• circulating and recalling library resources using a computer program
• providing refreshments to patients and other visitors

Volunteers assist in an activity program for children during their cancer treatments. These volunteers must have previous child-care experience and be at least 16 years of age. Volunteer activities may include:

• assisting the child-life specialist
• supervising the craft area
• playing games with individual children

The Breast and Gyne Cancer Centre of Hope provide one-on-one support to patients through a Peer Support Program. Volunteers providing support are:

• previous patients who are at least one year past the completion of their treatment for breast or gyne cancer
• matched with new patients to provide ongoing peer support
• matched according to diagnosis and treatment plan, age, family situation and other circumstances
• able to provide a listening ear, encouragement and emotional support

A Public Advisor Volunteer will offer their feedback as a member of the community and general public to support the Prevention and Screening Programs delivered by CancerCare Manitoba. A Public Advisor Volunteer will ensure that the public perspective is a part of decision making for the Prevention and Screening Programs. 

In this role, the volunteer will assist by sharing their knowledge and experience to:

• Inform us about existing prevention and screening services
• Help with planning and implementation of new initiatives or changes to existing program activities
• Develop and improve educational materials, policies and documents

Public Advisor Volunteers will participate in small group discussions and respond to surveys aimed at understanding public perspectives. Feedback can be provided in person, or via email, telephone or online.

Due to the COVID-19, no feedback will be provided in person at this time.

Volunteers assist staff in taking patients to appointments within CancerCare Manitoba and Health Sciences Centre. Their duties include:

• providing a friendly, visible presence at the entrance of CCMB
• offering direction as needed for treatment areas and various clinics within CCMB and the Health Sciences Centre
• accompanying a patient to find appointments, using a wheelchair to transport patient if required.

Patients and their companions are offered nourishment while waiting for appointments or undergoing treatments. Volunteer responsibilities include:

• preparing and serving coffee, tea, juice, and cookies throughout the day
• making a light lunch of soup and crackers for patients receiving chemotherapy
• engaging in friendly, supportive conversations with patients under the guidelines of CancerCare Manitoba's privacy policy

Volunteer couriers assist with ensuring the timely delivery of charts and patient samples within CancerCare Manitoba and the Health Sciences Centre.  Their duties include:

• picking up and delivering charts, X-rays, blood samples and requisitions to various locations

Volunteers raise awareness and/or funds for CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. These are generally evening and weekend positions. Activities could include:

• selling raffle tickets and merchandise
• event registration and pledge collections
• assisting at gold tournaments, fundraising dinners, walks and runs

For more information, please contact the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation at 204-787-4143 or toll-free at 1-877-407-2223.

The CancerCare Clinic is located inside the St Boniface Hospital and provides clinic appointments and chemotherapy treatments. Volunteers at this location help by:

• interacting with patients, visitors and staff to help create a cariing, welcoming environment
• preparing and serving refreshments at 3 stations
• assisting patients inc hoosing and fitting wigs and headwear
• assembling patient information packages, displaying resource information

Volunteer Corner is a small gift shop where donated, hand-made and confectionary items are sold.
Volunteers provide friendly, welcoming assistance to patients and visitors by:

• greeting and directing people
• selling candy and craft items
• raising funds for the Refreshment Service for patients and families