How You Can Help

Summary

The Ambassador Program seeks to provide patients, family members, visitors, and staff with friendly and helpful volunteers who offer directions throughout the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute campus, both in Longwood and in Chestnut Hill. Ambassador volunteers will escort patients to appointments, while helping to answer questions along the way; provide one-on-one support to help a patient or family member who might otherwise feel lost and/or overwhelmed; and provide information about Dana-Farber programs and resources.

Volunteer Responsibility

The Ambassador Program seeks to provide patients, family members, visitors, and staff with friendly and helpful volunteers who offer directions within the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care (YCCC), throughout the Dana-Farber campus, and extending to Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Boston Children's Hospital (BCH); escort patients to appointments while helping answer questions along the way; provide one-on-one support to help a patient or family member — someone who might otherwise feel lost and overwhelmed; provide information about Dana-Farber programs and resources.

Populations Served

Primarily adult and pediatric patients and families, but staff and visitors as well.

Duties

Enhance the patient and family experience by:

• Being visible in all patient entrances
• Escorting patients and families to appointments, by foot or by pushing a wheelchair
• Providing comfort, support, and empathy
• Maintaining confidentiality at all times
• Helping patients interpret their "patient itinerary"
• Providing directions within Dana-Farber campus. In Longwood, this includes the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Boston Children's Hospital
• Understanding patient flow to help patients and families understand the nature of their appointment day
• Providing information about Dana-Farber programs as needed/requested
• Directing patients and families to the appropriate program or resource for additional information
• Depending on shift, delivering art supplies or lunches to patients in chemotherapy infusion areas
• Checking in with the Volunteer Services staff regarding any new or time-sensitive information
• Attending quarterly Ambassador meetings

Essential Skills Needed

• Warmth, caring, and sensitivity
• Positive, friendly demeanor
• Excellent interpersonal (listening and communication) skills
• Excellent "customer service" skills
• Ability to recognize and support the emotional needs of patients and their families
• Healthy and appropriate boundaries
• Comprehensive knowledge of Dana-Farber campus, as well as some knowledge of BWH and BCH campuses
• Commitment, reliability, and flexibility
• Sensitivity to multicultural, cultural, racial, economic, and gender diversity
• Ability to follow directions and take supervision
• Ability to be on feet for an extended period of time

Volunteer Shifts

• Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Shifts are 7-10 a.m., 10 a.m.-1 p.m., or 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Volunteers are expected to commit to one three-hour shift for at least one year. Specific shifts, duties, and responsibilities vary by location.

Position

Health Educator Volunteer

Summary

The Blum Family Resource Center Van is a 39-ft. mobile health clinic that brings free Sun Safety and Skin Cancer Prevention education, as well as free skin cancer screenings to the general public, with a focus on at-risk and under-served communities. The van makes site visits to health centers, non-profit organizations, faith-based communities, special events, and outdoor venues (e.g., beaches, schools, and businesses) in and around the Boston area. People are able to visit the van and learn from health educators on how to prevent and detect skin cancer.

Volunteer Responsibility

Health Educators educate the public on how to stay safe in the sun while still enjoying its rays, and how to identify the warning signs for skin cancer, as well as ways to prevent it.

Duties

• The volunteer will arrive just prior to the start of the community event and will assist the Sun Safety Team with equipment set-up and preparing the van for visitors.
• The main responsibility is to utilize the Sun Safety Program’s evidence-based curriculum to empower participants to obtain sun safety and skin cancer prevention information to make informed choices about their health.

Essential Skills Needed

• Volunteers demonstrate respect, awareness, sensitivity and support for diverse community initiatives and the populations of all ages that are being served.
• Volunteers demonstrate clear active-listening skills and can stay focused while assisting visitors.
• Volunteers are resourceful and flexible with their schedule, i.e. arrive at Blum Family Van sites 30 minutes prior to event.
• Volunteer must be an objective person who will not personalize his or her own experiences.
• Volunteers must demonstrate a readiness to help others and the ability to maintain healthy relationships with patients and visitors; this includes understanding the boundaries associated with a volunteer role.

Shifts

The Health Educator is expected to volunteer at least one day per week. Skin cancer prevention events often take place on weekdays during the summer, and weekends in spring and fall, lasting about four to six hours. Potential volunteers should have an interest in public health or preventive medicine, and a passion for under-served communities. Bilingual individuals are highly encouraged to apply. Volunteers interested in participating in our program will need to attend a two-hour training session and make the commitment to attend a minimum of 12 events during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Transportation to events is provided from our main office location in Brookline.

For questions about this position and to request an application please contact the Sun Safety Team at Blum_Van@dfci.harvard.edu.

Summary

The role of an E-Advisor is to provide feedback, generate ideas, and offer insight from a patient or family/caregiver perspective from an offsite location. E-Advisors may be asked to offer opinions and perspectives based upon their experience with a particular aspect of care, a department, or type of cancer or disease. E-Advisors are not active voting members of the PFACs and have a different role and responsibility to Dana-Farber.

The Program Manager will work in partnership with the PFACs to provide programmatic and operational oversight for the E-Advisor Program.

Requirements and Responsibilities

• E-Advisors do not meet in person but participate remotely
• E-Advisors are required to be onboarded through Dana-Farber Volunteer Services
• E-Advisors participate monthly
• E-Advisors are expected to commit a minimum of one year to this role
• E-Advisors are expected to be respectful, kind, and conscientious

Population Served

Like the PFACs, the E-Advisors advise on projects and initiatives covering many disciplines across Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in partnership with Institute staff and leadership. The goal is to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and families by advising staff and leadership from adult and pediatric oncology at Dana-Farber and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Duties

Participation will be fully virtual. Activities may include:

• Weighing in on the design or improvement of a new or existing program, service, policy, or process
• Participation in research
• Legislative advocacy at the state and national level
• Reviewing and providing input on patient education materials
• Reviewing or helping to draft patient and family communications
• Sharing stories

Questions regarding the E-Advisor Program can be directed to pfac@dfci.harvard.edu.
Apply to join our PFACs

Position

Sales Volunteer

Summary

Volunteers who are happy to assist our customers in choosing that special gift for any occasion staff the Friends Corner Gift Shop. Volunteers have the opportunity to offer words of encouragement to patients living with cancer. We have enjoyed 25 successful years of offering these services and hope to continue for many more to come.

All proceeds from the Gift Shop go directly toward patient care and research programs at Dana-Farber.

Volunteer Responsibility

• Greets and welcomes visitors to the gift shop; assist with sales.
• Responsible for all aspects of payment processing, which requires sound knowledge of the basic principles of cashiering operation; handling cash sales, credit card sales, checks.
• Answer phones and take telephone orders.
• Provide feedback to staff members of any requests, or inquiries concerning the Gift Shop.
• May assist in restocking, pricing, and straightening merchandise during slow business times.

Essential Skills Needed

We need dependable, reliable, attentive people who are willing to give a full day; 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., one day per week. Self direction is most helpful and a basic knowledge of a computerized cash register is also helpful but not necessary. You must be able to work in a team environment. We are looking for individuals interested in volunteer service and who want to help the Institute achieve a "world without cancer."

Volunteer Shifts

One day per week for a full day, 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Summary

During the past several years, many Americans have embraced integrated therapies to combat a wide range of illnesses and health conditions. People with cancer and related diseases frequently use these approaches to alleviate symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, pain and anxiety. The Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrated Therapies provide quality clinical services to patients and families, sponsor educational programs and training sessions, and conduct research studying these interventions.

The Hands-on Care Volunteer Program provides a complimentary, personal program for adult patients to support them during the chemotherapy infusion treatment days. The volunteer, trained by a licensed oncology massage therapist from the Zakim Center, will provide a 15-minute hand massage. The service is the application of a gentle and soothing touch to the hands. The service is not a treatment.

Objective

Through the application of a gentle hand massage by trained volunteers, patients will experience comfort care, relaxation, and support during their chemotherapy infusion treatments. Through this volunteer and patient interaction and connection, we are hoping for increased satisfaction in the overall patient-centered care.

Populations Served

Adult patients

Duties

• Obtain lotion bottle and other supplies needed for your shift
• Upon arriving on floor, inform the nurses that you are here to provide the hand massage as part of the Hands-On Care program
• Introduce yourself to patients and briefly describe the program
• Once a patient is interested, identify the patient by verbally asking them for patient identifiers: name, date of birth, medical record number
• Have the nurse in charge review and sign eligibility
• Make sure patient is comfortable at all times
• Provide a 15-minute hand massage
• Relate to patient in a positive, caring, and sensitive manner while providing comfort and maintaining privacy throughout the service
• Observe proper hand washing and lotion bottle handling before and after the massage
• Follow operating procedures for the end of shift
• Maintain proper recordkeeping in accordance with Dana-Farber and HIPAA requirements

Essential Skills Needed

• Warm, caring, sensitive individuals who display compassion to cancer patients
• Able to recognize the emotional needs of cancer patients
• Able to follow directions and take supervision
• Able to work with patients and families in stressful situations while remaining empathetic and non-judgmental
• Committed, reliable and flexible and able to provide at least a one-year commitment
• Able to demonstrate abilities to support all adult patients; including sensitivity to cultural, ethnic and socio-economic differences
• Excellent communicators who can work will all levels in the Institute, i.e. nursing, administrative, etc.
• Objective and will not personalize their experiences with patients.
• Able to demonstrate readiness on taking a volunteer role
• Maintain a neat and clean appearance at all times

Physical Demands

Must be able push a cart around 15 to 20 lbs, with the necessary supplies.

Volunteer Shifts

Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Volunteers are expected to be available for the same three-hour block one day per week. A one-year commitment is required.

Summary

The Marjorie and Betty Ann Blum Pediatric Resource Room is a comfortable learning center for Pediatric Oncology parents, patients, and their families to learn about disease, treatment options, and other cancer related health matters. The room houses a collection of books, brochures, laptops, iPads, and a music room, as well as crafts, games, and toys for all ages. The purpose of these materials is to provide patients with knowledge and ways to obtain support, as well as distraction and coping during appointments. The Blum Pediatric Resource Room is staffed by professionals and volunteers who are committed to helping patients and their families. If positions in the Blum Pediatric Resource Room are not available, volunteers may also be placed in the Jimmy Fund Playroom.

Goal

A mature, self-directed individual who feels comfortable working with Pediatric Oncology patients and their family members; courteous and pleasant demeanor; ability to act in a calm, efficient manner; effective verbal and written communication skills; resourceful individual; meets pediatric and adolescent competency skills; familiarity with electronics (iPads, computers, video games); organized and able to assist with coordinating resources for patients and families; able to lift 25 pounds and get up and down from floor easily.

Activities

• Before starting shift, check in with Resource Room supervisor
• Assist visitors with:
  • Computer/resource searches
  • Make appropriate referrals to other staff within the Institute
  • Locate desired resources, printed materials, and iPads and laptop sign out
• Engage in play and art with children of all ages
• Maintain files and materials in an orderly fashion; replenish stock as appropriate; notify Patient and Family Education Specialist when booklets/brochures are low 
• Clean toys, inventory and stock supplies
• Print and compile resources and resource folders
• Answer phones and assist callers appropriately
• Use all equipment in a safe and responsible manner – no eating in the room 
• Assist with packaging materials to be mailed home to families
• Provide lunchtime coverage of staff in the Resource Room
• Occasional respite care for pediatric patients while caregivers step away for 20 minutes or less

Limitations

• Do not give medical advice, opinions, or assumptions regarding a patient's illness, diagnosis, or treatment options.
• Volunteers should refer patients to their physician if they have questions about their current treatment plan, protocol, and medications.
• Always respect patient confidentiality.
• When in doubt, questions should be brought to the attention of the appropriate staff member.
• Maintain professional boundaries with Jimmy Fund Clinic patients and families.

Training and Education

• Complete Volunteer Services Orientation/Health Screening
• On-the-job training with an experienced volunteer or staff member
• Orientation of the Resource Room with CCLS/Program Coordinator:
  • Watch relevant training videos
  • On-the-job training of tasks
• Work closely with Resource Room Staff to triage issues as they come up

Volunteer Shifts

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Dana-Farber's Junior Volunteer Program is a highly competitive program accepting a small number of high school students aged 16 to 18. The program runs from July 10 through August 18, 2023. Applicants must be able to commit to one 5-hour day a week (9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) for the full six weeks, and must also be available to attend or call in to a weekly meeting. We seek to accept a diverse group of highly motivated students from a multitude of backgrounds.

Applications for the Junior Volunteer program are due by April 1, and must be submitted online.

Junior volunteer application

Summary

For patients and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis, connecting to someone who has "been there" can be a great source of comfort. Our One-to-One program links individuals who have already experienced diagnosis and treatment with those who are facing it for the first time.

Requirements

Must be ONE year out from initial diagnosis

Populations Served

Adult patients and caregivers (family or friend)

Volunteer Responsibility

One-to-One volunteers are cancer survivors and caregivers (family and/or friends) who have completed specialized training. They talk to patients and caregivers via telephone about the treatment experience, guide them through their experience, and discuss available resources. Most importantly, they help relieve fears and concerns because they understand what it's like to face cancer.

Most importantly, they help relieve fears and concerns because they understand what it's like to face cancer.

Duties

• Responding to the program coordinator in a timely manner when asked to connect with a patient or caregiver
• Attend quarterly meetings and trainings for One-to-One
• Submit Contact report forms to the program coordinator
• Provide a listening ear to patients and family members that they are matched with

Questions regarding the One-to-One volunteer role can be directed to onetoone@dfci.harvard.edu. 

One-to-One volunteer application

Summary

Since our inception in 1998, the Adult Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFAC) have served as a national model for healthcare institutions. By partnering with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center staff members regarding adult patient care, we help improve the patient experience and ensure patient- and family-centered care. The role of a PFAC member is to provide feedback, generate ideas, and offer insight from a patient or family/caregiver perspective. PFAC members may be asked to offer opinions and perspectives based upon their experience with a particular aspect of care, a department, or type of illness. It is important that PFAC members lead with their patient or caregiver perspective, and serve as partners to Dana-Farber staff and leadership.

Requirements and Responsibilities

PFAC members are cancer survivors, caregivers, or family members who have a strong desire to advocate for others. Responsibilities include attending 9-10 monthly meetings in person, serving on 1-2 projects or committees on an ongoing basis, being timely and responsive through email, assisting with speaking opportunities, events, or other volunteer opportunities, and sharing a personal story and patient/family perspective. A PFAC member has full voting rights on the Patient and Family Advisory Council. Voting responsibilities may include nominating and electing Co-Chairs, revising and updating the Bylaws, and making decisions on Council business.

PFAC members commit to:

• Sharing the patient/family experience
• Attending monthly PFAC meetings
• Volunteering 5-10 hours per month on committees and projects
• 6-year term limit on the Council
• Timely and reliable response on correspondences

Population Served

The PFACs advise on projects and initiatives covering many disciplines across Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in partnership with Institute staff and leadership. The goal is to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and families by advising staff and leadership from adult and pediatric oncology at Dana-Farber and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Duties

Participation may be in person, by phone, by Zoom or other electronic means, and may involve a one-time effort or participation in an ongoing project or committee.

Activities may include:

• Weighing in on the design or improvement of a new or existing program, service, policy, or process
• Participation in research
• Legislative advocacy at the state and national level
• Reviewing and providing input on patient education materials
• Reviewing or helping to draft patient and family communications
• Presenting/co-presenting to staff or at a conference or event
• Writing blogs and sharing stories

Questions regarding the Patient and Family Advisory Councils can be directed to pfac@dfci.harvard.edu.
Apply to join our PFACs

Summary

The goal of the Resource Cart is to provide newspapers, magazines, mobile games, and other resources that can improve the patient experience at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The resource carts will also be a place for patients to obtain information about Dana-Farber programs and services from compassionate volunteers. Magazines and the New York Times are funded through a generous donation by the Marc Adam Dwares Fund.

Volunteer Responsibility

Volunteers will travel throughout the adult clinics offering reading materials and supportive services for patients and their families. Volunteer will provide comfort to patients through conversation and general support, explaining the different services and programs that help the patients through their cancer journey.

Population Served

Adult patients and their families

Duties

• Stock the resource cart with materials, I.e., magazines, newspapers, etc.
• Visit adult clinics to distribute newspapers and magazines to adult patients and visitors
• Inform patients of the supportive resources available to them by handing out various brochures and calendars
• Provide comfort, support, and empathy
• Direct patients and families to the appropriate program or resource for additional information

Essential Skills Needed

• Volunteers are warm, caring, sensitive individuals who display compassion to cancer patients.
• Volunteers recognize the emotional needs of cancer patients and are able to connect with individuals from various cultural and diverse backgrounds.
• You are a self-starter who can work independently with little direction and supervision.
• You demonstrate clear active-listening communication skills and are able to maintain healthy, professional relationships with patients, while understanding the boundaries associated with a volunteer role.
• You are an objective person and will not personalize your own experiences.
• You will maintain a neat and friendly appearance.

Physical Demands

Must be able to push a 40-pound book Resource Cart

Volunteer Shifts

The Resource Cart goes around the Institute, Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Volunteers must commit to one three-hour shift per week for at least a year.

Summary

The Center for Education and Support is a space for patients and families to learn about and access a variety of resources on cancer types, treatment, nutrition, finance, and others displayed on our Digital Resource Center. Patients and families are welcome to come by to explore our resources, read and relax, use one of our computers, or charge their phones.

Volunteer Responsibility

Our Resource Center volunteers help patients and families to navigate the resources available at the Chestnut Hill Center for Education and Support, as well as provide more information on supportive workshops and programs going on across the Institute. They answer phone calls, triage questions, give tours of the space, and work with the Chestnut Hill Program Coordinator on other projects that aim to elevate the patient experience and enable patients and families to learn more about the array of supportive services at Dana-Farber.

Populations Served

• Chestnut Hill patients and their families

Duties

• Locate information for patients and families utilizing various sources: DFCI Online, Dana-Farber.org, Quickbase, and the Internet
• Help patients access pamphlets and brochures about their disease and treatment through our Digital Resource Center and provide hard copies of the resources if requested; this includes printing out and making copies of said resources if necessary
• Direct patients to the appropriate locations across the institute
• Assist patients with digital resources and access to virtual programming
• Assist patients in storing personal items (i.e., luggage and coats)
• Create library cards for patients and activate them in our system
• Create welcome gifts for patients working with interpreters
• Make calls to patients at our Foxborough satellite, providing general information and guidance to support them for their first visit, as well as give them the opportunity to provide feedback on their visit
• Present information in a way that patients can understand, paying attention to how much information patients can absorb
• Familiarize self with all the available resources and information; familiarize self with disease center location
• Be able to do all of the above both in person and over the phone
• Adhere to Customer Service Standards
  • Know your boundaries: Volunteers do not counsel or provide advice to patients. Any questions/concerns beyond the scope of this service must be referred to the appropriate person/department
  • Always listen to patients, ensuring that you have all the right information
  • Follow-through on all patient requests
  • Acknowledge their presence immediately when they arrive at the desk
  • Take care of yourself: Inform the Chestnut Hill Program Coordinator or onsite staff member if you are experiencing any difficulties and/or emotionally charged patient interaction. Stop, breathe, and take time to take care of yourself

Essential Skills Needed

• Warmth, caring, and sensitivity
• Positive, friendly demeanor
• Excellent interpersonal (listening and communication) skills
• Excellent "customer service" skills
• Ability to recognize and support the emotional needs of patients and their families
• Healthy and appropriate boundaries
• Desire to help others
• Ability to be calm and supportive, especially in stressful situations
• Maturity and sensitivity to the needs of cancer patients and their families
• Reliability and flexibility
• Sensitivity to multicultural, cultural, racial, economic, and gender diversity
• Ability to follow directions and take supervision
• Familiarity with/willingness to learn computer skills
• Ability to escort patients to appointments as needed

Volunteer Shifts

• Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. or 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Volunteers are expected to commit to one three-hour shift a week for at least one year.

If you are interested in volunteering at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute during the summer, please be advised of the following requirements:

• Volunteers must serve two half-days (four hours each) or one full day (eight hours each) per week, for a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks, totaling 80 hours of service.
• Once potential volunteers have completed the Summer Application Form, they will be contacted in early May to schedule an interview and continue with the application process.
• Applications are due the first Friday of April.

Summer volunteer application

Summary

Patients and families often find themselves overwhelmed, lost, and unaware of the many resources available to them at Dana-Farber. It can be difficult to navigate a complex system while balancing the physical and emotional tolls of illness. Friendly support, guidance, and access to helpful information can help ease anxiety and frustrations; it also can help patients and families feel more in control of their experience and less overwhelmed. This is especially true in a new location.

Volunteer Responsibility

Volunteers will reach out to patients visiting our Chestnut Hill and Foxborough locations for the first time to provide them with insight and answer any questions they may have about these campuses. The volunteer will provide one-on-one support to help a patient or family member who might otherwise feel lost and overwhelmed, as well as provide information about Dana-Farber programs and resources.

Population Served

• Adult patients

Duties

• Providing comfort, support, and empathy
• Maintaining confidentiality always
• Helping patients understand the flow of their day
• Providing information as needed/requested about Dana-Farber programs
• Directing patients and families to the appropriate program or resource for additional information

Essential skills Needed

• Warmth, care, and sensitivity
• Positive, friendly demeanor
• Excellent interpersonal (listening and communication) skills
• Excellent “customer service” skills
• Ability to recognize and support the emotional needs of patients and their families
• Healthy and appropriate boundaries
• Comprehensive knowledge of Chestnut Hill and Foxborough locations
• Commitment, reliability, and flexibility
• Sensitivity to multiculturalism: cultural, racial, economic, and gender diversity
• Ability to follow directions and take supervision

Computer Network Needs

• Email
• Smartsheet
• Encryption (we will send you instructions on how to encrypt your device if it is not already encrypted)

Volunteer Shifts

• Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Volunteers are expected to select one day of the week and be available for three hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.