The American Cancer Society Resource Center at Deaconess is located in the Deaconess Health & Education Center (DHEC), where trained volunteers work with cancer patients, their families and caregivers.

Goals and Benefits of the Cancer Resource Center at Deaconess

• To help cancer survivors learn to self-navigate and advocate for themselves by providing them with information and resources.
• To provide seamless continuum of care, making the health care system and the American Cancer Society a “one-stop source” for information and assistance regarding cancer, and reaching a greater number of newly diagnosed cancer patients.
• To provide enhanced patient access to specialized resources for under-served populations.
• To improve quality of care.

Application/Interview

Potential volunteers are considered based on their application, references, screenings, and a formal interview with Volunteer Services and the American Cancer Society volunteer coordinator.  Applications must include:

• 2 references (references from family members not accepted)
• Documentation of immunity to MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella/Rubeola)
• Documentation of immunity to Chicken Pox (Varicella)

If documentation of the above immunization requirements are unavailable, a blood draw verifying immunity will be necessary (see “Requirements” below). 

Requirements

After the initial interview with Volunteer Services, final acceptance into the American Cancer Society Volunteer program will be based on a national criminal background check performed by Volunteer Services at no cost to the applicant.  In addition, all applicants accepted into the program undergo a mandatory health screening, done on-site at no cost to the volunteer. The health screening includes:

• Verification of MMR immunity (history of disease or vaccination record)
• Verification of Chicken Pox immunity (history of disease or vaccination record)
• Tuberculosis (TB) testing
• Drug Screening
• Vision/Hearing Screening

American Cancer Society Resource Center Volunteers are required to volunteer a minimum of 6 months.  All volunteers must attend a mandatory safety/program orientation and department-specific training prior to volunteering.  In addition, Cancer Resource Center volunteers attend 6 to 8 hours of initial training conducted by the American Cancer Society volunteer coordinator prior to volunteering at the Deaconess Cancer Resource Center.

Volunteers Are Needed at the Cancer Resource Center!

If you are interested in becoming a Deaconess American Cancer Society Resource Center volunteer, please go to Become a Volunteer to download an application packet.  You may also contact the Cancer Resource Center at (509) 473-3170 or Deaconess Volunteer Services at (509) 473-3767.