Volunteer opportunities cover a wide spectrum of activities but all focus on making a difference, either directly or indirectly, in the life of cancer patients. Volunteer Services offers positions with varying degrees of patient contact in the following areas:

Patient and Public Education

Patient Support

Fundraising

Group Service Projects

Patient and Public Education

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Cancer Learning Center

Volunteers in the Cancer Learning Center put together information packets, keep clinics stocked with brochures, and prepare materials for use in the library. Cancer Learning Center volunteers also help with outreach projects (see below) and a variety of special projects. Volunteers in this position should have basic computer skills and be friendly, outgoing and helpful. Shifts are available Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Community Outreach and Prevention Education

Outreach volunteers must be college seniors or graduate students. Volunteers are normally serving to satisfy a college-level internship in community health education or a related field. Interns must have reliable transportation and insurance. A minimum commitment of 250 hours required.

Outreach interns attend community events, health fairs, and other cancer related events to provide information about cancer prevention and screening. Interns help with program planning, writing grants, and presentations at local schools, churches, and community organizations.

To apply for this opportunity, please forward a copy of your resume, two letters of recommendation, and availability to lori.maness@hci.utah.edu. New interns are accepted each semester, consider applying early. Spring 2011 interns will be interviewed during the first week of November 2010.

Patient Support

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Information Desk

Volunteers at the information desk assist in directing patients and visitors as they arrive in the lobby. Information desk volunteers also help locate patients that are staying in the hospital for visitors. Assistance locating different areas in the facility is also needed. Flower deliveries can also be taken by volunteers to the patient rooms.

Infusion Room

Volunteers work directly with patients, providing drinks, snacks, DVD's, blankets and pillows while patients receive chemotherapy treatments. Volunteers also assist the nursing staff in the infusion room by stocking supply carts and kitchen areas.

Surgery Waiting Room

Volunteers in the surgery waiting room answer phones and help relay patient status information to the patients' families in the waiting room. Volunteers also give general information in regards to the facility and local attractions and restaurants.

Patient Transport

Volunteers assist in transporting patients to and from clinical appointments via golf cart, and help maintain the children's playroom and waiting rooms throughout the outpatient clinics.

Snack Cart

Volunteers bring drinks and snacks to patients as they wait for clinical appointments. After taking the snack cart around the clinics, volunteers can also bring a media cart to the patients staying in the hospital, offering them DVD's, games, or books.

Special Events

Volunteers help on the day of a specific event or activity. These are held at different times throughout the year.

Fundraising

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Fundraising Events

Volunteers assist with a variety of fundraising events and activities that include the following:

1. Radio-a-Thon – Join in the fun with K-Bull 93 FM and the South Towne Center as we spend two days on the phones and on the air raising funds for cancer research.
2. Huntsman Hometown Heroes team – walk, run, or ride in any endurance event of your choice while raising much-needed funds for cancer research (SLC Marathon, Ogden Marathon, Ragnar Relay, US Trisports triathlons, Skinny Tire Festival, LOTOJA, Canyonlands Half Marathon, St. George Marathon, Other Half, or choose your own adventure)
3. Huntsman Cancer Foundation golf tournament and gala – Volunteer on the course or at the dinner!

Group Service Projects

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Huntsman Cancer Institute welcomes groups interested in helping cancer patients through the programs listed below.

Graduation Blankets

These 4’ x 5’ quilts or blankets are given to patients when they finish their last treatment of chemotherapy or radiation. The quilts can be sewn and tied, or made out of fleece and have simple cut and tied edges. No used donations, please.

Hats

Cancer patients benefit from knit hats during the winter to brimmed hats and caps during the summer. These hats can be purchased or made. For sample patterns, please call Volunteer Services at (801) 581-7169. Hats should be made of soft fabric that will not irritate sensitive skin on the scalp. No used donations, please.

Attractive Scarves

Patients can use soft fabric scarves to cover their heads during hot summer months. Like the summer hats mentioned above, these donations protect sensitive skin from the damaging rays of the sun. No used donations, please.

Wigs

Attractive, stylish wigs can be cleaned and used by cancer patients who may not otherwise have access to a wig.

Magazine/Books

Current magazines or new and used books can be used in the clinical waiting rooms where patients wait for their appointments. Patients often enjoy books on cd.

Puzzle Books

Patients appreciate donated activity books while they wait for treatment or stay in the hospital. These activity books include Crossword Puzzles, Sudoku, and Word Find.

Movies

New and used DVDs can be viewed by patients staying in the hospital.

Activity Totes

Tote can contain items such as current magazines, playing cards, crossword puzzles, pens, greeting cards, gum, lotion, hand sanitizer, etc. These items are helpful when patients stay in the hospital for an extended period of time. Activity bags for specific holidays can also be fun for patients to enjoy while staying at the hospital over a holiday such as Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving.