New Volunteer Applications
Please note:
- CANSA Volunteers are not paid
- Preference will be given to applicants with a a valid driver’s license and their own transport
- CANSA volunteers will receive compulsory training by CANSA, relevant to the kind of volunteering they wish to do, before they begin to volunteer – for this reason it is not ideal to accommodate short-term volunteers and long term volunteers would be preferred
- Most meetings and training are done virtually – volunteers should have access to a computer and stable connectivity
- After each activity, volunteers are expected to submit an online report
If you still wish to apply to become a CANSA Volunteer, please complete the steps below.
Steps to Becoming a CANSA Volunteer
Step One: Consider What Kind of Volunteer Work You Want to Do:
You will be a companion to a cancer patient who needs encouragement, in the comfort of their home, or visit them in hospital.
Tasks may include going for a gentle walk with the patient, or reading to them, teaching breathing techniques to reduce anxiety or teaching the patient craft / other activities to help pass the time or take their mind off their treatment or side effects of treatment, assisting with trips to the shop or pharmacy to collect medication, or offering spiritual encouragement if they request this.
You may also assist, within reason, with small practical tasks around the home.
Your support does not extend to providing domestic worker or gardener services.
It also does not extend to a caregiver or nursing role. You will not be required to change patients’ nappies, or bathe patients.
You will also not be expected to provide clinical support, for example, advice regarding treatment or medication, wound care advice or dressing a wound, or advice on ways to manage side effects of cancer.
It is important that you are aware of CANSA’s service offering. If your patient is in need of a service CANSA offers, you will refer them to service staff responsible for a particular service.
Once trained by CANSA, Cancer Patient Companions may inform organisations in the community working with cancer patients, of the service they are able to provide. Any posters to promote this work need to be approved by your CANSA staff partner.
An online report must be submitted after a visit.
CANSA facilitates Information and Support Desks, twice a week, at certain government hospitals.
You will engage with cancer patients when they visit the Oncology Department, offering encouragement, informing patients of services provided by CANSA and making appropriate referrals for support to CANSA staff.
Knitted knockers breast prostheses, and information regarding the top cancers affecting SA women and men are displayed on the desks. CANSA’s free Tele and Virtual Counselling service, Support Groups, Clinical Nursing services (to manage side effects of cancer or treatment, or pain management), and Advocacy services (if patients are waiting too long to access treatment or for follow up screening or medication) will be by promoted you.
If the patient requires a natural hair wig, stoma support or products, medical equipment hire, breast prostheses, lymphoedema garments, home based care support (where the family is empowered to care for the patient), a referral to a CANSA Care Home (if the patient lives far away from where they receive treatment), TLC support (for parents of children or teens who have cancer), you will help them by referring them to the CANSA staff member responsible for this service.
Current government hospitals include:
Eastern Cape:
Frere Hospital (East London)
Free State:
National Hospital (Bloemfontein)
Gauteng:
Charlotte Maxeke Hospital (Johannesburg)
Steve Biko Hospital (Pretoria)
KZN:
Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital (Durban)
Northern Cape:
Robert Sobukwe Hospital (Kimberley)
An online report must be submitted after volunteering at the CANSA Information and Support Desk.
You will establish and maintain a support group for cancer patients, or their loved ones, to provide an opportunity for connection and emotional support.
Once trained, you may inform organisations in the community working with cancer patients, and their loved ones, to help grow the support group. You may also use social media to market the support group. Any posters advertising your support group will need to be approved by your staff partner.
It is important that you are aware of CANSA’s service offering and other support groups available. If a support group member is in need of a service CANSA offers or an additional or alternate support group, you will refer them to service staff responsible for a particular service.
An online report must be submitted after each meeting.
You will give Health Awareness talks and set up exhibitions to raise awareness of how to lower the risk for cancer, and on the importance of regular cancer screening to enable early detection.
Once trained, you will actively seek opportunities to do talks and exhibitions by approaching clinics, schools, churches, community groups, corporate business etc., in your community.
An online report must be submitted after each talk and or exhibition.
Four types of admin volunteer work to choose from:
- You will be given admin work, and using your own computer will complete this work virtually at home.
- You will be trained by the Marketing & Communication staff to assist with promoting CANSA on social media (regional Facebook pages), and assisting with video creation, making animations, posters, and materials.
- You will be the admin support to a nurse at a Corporate Wellness Day to screen for cancer.
- You will be the admin support at a CANSA Care Centre and or Care Home:
Care Centre and Care Home Locations:
Eastern Cape:
Gqeberha Care Centre / Strelitzia Care Home
Free State:
Bloemfontein Care Centre / Olea Katleho Care Home
Gauteng:
Bedfordview Care Centre
Pretoria Care Centre / Tipuana Care Home
KZN:
Durban Care Centre / Mkhuhla Care Home
Mpumalanga:
Lowveld Care Centre (Nelspruit)
North West:
Rustenburg Care Centre
Western Cape:
Cape Metro Care Centre (Athlone) / Eikehof Care Home (Athlone) / Tygerberg Care Home (Bellville)
Paarl Care Centre
George Care Centre / Irma Bruschi Care Home
You will help source food and other in-kind donations for cancer patients staying at CANSA Care Homes:
Care Home Locations:
Eastern Cape:
Strelitzia Care Home (Gqeberha – PE)
Free State:
Olea Katleho Care Home (Bloemfontein)
Gauteng:
Tipuana Care Home (Pretoria)
KZN:
Mkhuhla Care Home (Durban)
Western Cape:
Eikehof Care Home (Athlone)
Tygerberg Care Home (Bellville)
Irma Bruschi Care Home (George)
Two volunteer opportunites include:
You will in cooperation with a CANSA sustainability staff partner, and with their approval, initiate fundraising activities / events, raising funds for CANSA.
You may assist with a CANSA national fundraising campaign – click on the links below to find out more about each campaign:
CANSA Active
CANSA Shavathon
CANSA Relay For Life
CANSA Cuppa For CANSA
Step Two: Complete the Online Application Form
The Volunteer Programme Manager will note what kind of volunteer work you wish to be involved in when you select this on the online form. You will be contacted after you have completed the online application form:
Tips:
- Ensure your connectivity is stable when completing the form and uploading supporting documents
- Have a JPG or PDF of your ID document and driver’s licence (if you are able to drive) on hand to upload on the online form – the file should not be larger than 10 MB
Step Three: Training Provided by CANSA
Once you have received communication from the Volunteer Programme Manager confirming that you have been selected as a CANSA Volunteer, the way forward will be explained, and you will receive free training before you begin with volunteer work.
Queries
Queries regarding the CANSA Volunteer programme may be directed to info@cansa.org.za
