Get involved by Becoming A Buddy or by getting New Branches up and going.
Become a Buddy
PERSONAL QUALITIES needed to become a Cancer BUDDY for PLWC:
- One year or more since surgery or other treatment for cancer;
- We have found that this time allows the individual to be better prepared for this work, and also to feel physically and psychologically well;
- The volunteer needs to be in good health and have a recommendation from their doctor;
- By their presence, the volunteer provides an example of recovery and return to everyday life & HOPE;
- The volunteer needs to be motivated by their own experience to help others in a similar situation;
- and also be able to communicate in an open, sensitive and caring way;
- We are looking for people who have learned from their own experiences and are realistic about themselves;
- Committed to their own personal growth and development;
- Maturity;
- Sensitivity;
- Warmth;
- Flexibility;
- a sense of humor is invaluable;
- An ability to work co-operatively as a member of a team;
- Able to work independently;
- Volunteers need to be able to make a commitment to training requirements and additional education and supervision programmers.
Training Content:
- Understanding the goals of the “Buddy” Cancer Support Service program;
- Understand the role of the “Buddy” Cancer Support Service volunteer in the support of persons living with cancer;
- Understanding and familiarization with the surgical and medical treatment of cancer patients;
- Understanding hospital services, the need to collaborate with the medical and paramedical staff and the day to day management within the hospital;
- Acquire basics communication skills.
Visit preparation done during training to deal with face to face patient visits or telephone visits:
Objectives
- To discuss the practical aspects of the cancer support volunteer;
- To clarify expectations of the PLWC support volunteer and the co-ordinator with regard to communication and support;
- To identify and describe the volunteer system in which the volunteer operates;
- To assist the PLWC support volunteer to make the transition from trainee to volunteer service provider;
- Knowledge of community support available to people living with cancer;
- Understanding of the psychosocial impact of cancer;
- Development of effecticve communication skills;
- Confidentiality;
- Knowledge of practical aspects of visits. This includes the referral system, information kits and the reporting and supervision system for volunteers;
- Balancing volunteer life and personal life;
- Identification of support available to the volunteer.
The Confidentiality Priciples:
- To respect the confidences entrusted to the volunteer and not disclose confidential information to any unauthorized person;
- To exercise all reasonable care and caution to protect written and printed confidential information from unauthorized or casual observation;
- To create awareness through the training re the importance of this issue at all times.
If you are interested to assist in getting the following branches up and going, please contact us:
Durban Bloemfontein
July 9th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
How soon do you think a support goup will start in Durban?
Do you know of any support groups in Durban, specifically for men who had colon cancer and now live with a clostomy bag?
Warm Regards
Shelley
July 16th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Dear Shelley
Apologies for only replying to your comment now. Unfortunately we are not aware of any support groups for colon cancer in Durban. We do however have a cancer buddy here in Cape Town that is a colon cancer survivor and wouldn’t mind giving support via email and skype. Please let me know if you are interested and then I will put you in touch.
We would love to start a PLWC support group in Durban, but in order to do so we need someone to drive and coordinate it on a volunteer basis. Any suggestions and input is always welcome.
Kind Regards
Eldré
PLWC Cape Town
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
hi
I am a 34 year old who has two young kids. I have lost my husband on the 31 March 2009 after a five and a half year battle with brain cancer. This entire experience has been overwhelming, especially since i feel so strong. the mere reason for this was the positive outlook and hope that my dear husband lived with right up until the last day. He really lived with hope and smiles all through his 4 operations and 7 weeks of chemo and radiation therapy. basically what I wanted to share was the energy with which he lived with cancer and i mean lived – nothing stopped him. being diagnosed gave him a new meaning to life – to enjoy every moment and to share more love than ever – not to feel sorry for oneself but to make better and full use of everyday. The only thing that is certain in life is death – some of us warned in way of illnesses and other are gone in an instant – none of which is better than the other – though if we use the time on hand fruitfully then no matter what happens tommorrow yesterday would be a good memory – we cannot live predicting the future when we actually have today to make a difference. And so instaed of living the depressed life of a young indian widow in a white sari, I choose to thank god for the learnings of the experience and live a life as an example of love personified with hope. to each and every person with this illness and their partners – as uch as this experience is draining, please i beg of you to trust gods will – the choice for your today – the choice of yours and your loved ones memories is in your hands at this moment – never give up – always smile – and that itself will live forever! love love and love more – love unconditionally – all there really is on earth to give and take is love.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
A Bit late but what an insiring message to all of us ! You are so spot on with the fact thay we all have to face death one day .Your story of creating meaning from your experience is so powerful and what a legacy to keep alive in memory of someone you love and who will alway be part of you . Love newer dies. It remains with us for ever !! Thank you for reminding us all of this truth .
May God bless you and your family
Linda Greeff
Director
PLWC