Volunteers are a vital component of the palliative care program at VCU Massey Cancer Center.
Volunteers will receive specialized training to assist in various activities, such as:
- Performing patient-centered tasks, such as relieving family at the bedside, feeding, visiting and reading to patients and providing them with emotional support
- Working with family (especially children) on legacy and memory-making projects, which may be recorded in audio or video, as well as through pictures and words
- Helping patients and families find educational materials in Massey’s Patient Resource Library
- Delivering donated items like blankets, hats and pillows to patients
- Participating in fundraising events
- Assisting with clerical duties
For those who are unable to commit time to volunteer but would like to help, the palliative care program needs items for which "drives" could be organized in the workplace, church or neighborhood. Items needed include:
- Large blankets;
- Pillows and colorful pillowcases;
- Journals and scrapbooking supplies;
- Blank greeting cards;
- Craft project kits or puzzles; and
- Family-friendly DVD's.
If you are interested in volunteering with the palliative care program, please contact the VCU Volunteer Office at (804) 828-0922.