Monday 5 December acknowledges the selfless work of volunteers with the hosting of International Volunteers Day, an annual celebration held to recognise and promote the tireless work of volunteers across the globe.
The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) celebrates and acknowledges the dedication of its volunteer team by expressing its thanks for their support and care of people with the disease, working as they do in solidarity with Cansa staff. This enables the association to continue carrying out its services and various activities across South Africa.
The last two years have highlighted many challenges faced by Cansa volunteers, said Cansa’s service manager for volunteers Lisa Strydom, as events and engagements were postponed. “When our face-to-face events were limited Cansa leveraged all technology and immediately started building an online presence so we remained available for the public as best we could be,” she said.
“Sadly, it was not always easy for our volunteers to access or master these technologies due to factors such as not having computers or laptops at home, or internet connectivity and data as well as the technical background to use various online platforms.”
The challenge has, however, been recognised as an opportunity to provide volunteers with the tools needed to operate in their communities, whether it be a laptop, smart phone, training and upskilling on computer software and social media platforms or assistance with mobile data so they can continue their work, Strydom added.
“[The] business model relies on technology and it’s important for volunteers to be able to attend meetings, training and supervision sessions online. So we appeal to the public and corporates and invite them to show their community spirit by helping us with donations and sponsorships of these items to keep our volunteers active in the community.”
Volunteers form the backbone of many Cansa teams in communities countrywide, as explained by loyal volunteer Minenhle Dlamini. “Doing volunteering work for Cansa is making me feel I am adding value not only to individuals but to the whole country,” she said. “I wake up feeling excited, looking forward to the day, because I have an opportunity to do what I have always been passionate about, which is to serve people.”
Volunteers help with care and support programmes that include helping patients, caregivers and loved ones cope with physical side effects of cancer treatment, offering practical solutions and providing emotional support or fundraising for the Shavathon and Relay For Life events.
Admin volunteers assist with office work at care centres, virtual volunteers help with design, editing and translation of materials, while health promotion volunteers carry out awareness campaigns, and information talks in local communities. Advocacy volunteers work with legislators and professionals volunteer their skills and training free of charge to cancer patients, staff or volunteers.
If you or your company can assist with a donation or sponsorship send an email to lstrydom@cansa.org.za. If you would like to volunteer, sign-up online at www.cansa.org.za or contact your nearest Cansa Care Centre.
The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) celebrates and acknowledges its incredible volunteer team, stating it’s thanks to the dedication, support and care of these persons, who work in solidarity with Cansa staff members, that the association can continue to carry out its care and support services and various activities across South Africa.
The last two years highlighted many challenges faced by Cansa volunteers, as events and engagements were postponed, said Cansa’s service manager for volunteers, Lisa Strydom. “When our face-to-face events were limited, Cansa leveraged all technology and immediately started building an online presence so that we remained available for the public as best we could be,” she recalled.
“Sadly, it was not always easy for our volunteers to access or master these technologies due to factors such as not having computers or laptops at home, or internet connectivity and data, as well as the technical background to use various online platforms.”
The challenge has, however, been recognised as an opportunity to be provide volunteers with the tools needed to operate within their communities – be it with a laptop, smart phone, training and upskilling on computer software and social media platforms or assistance with mobile data so that they can continue their work, Strydom added.
“[The] business model relies on technology and it’s important for volunteers to be able to attend meetings, training, and supervision sessions online. So, we appeal to the public and corporates and invite them to show their community spirit by helping us with donations and sponsorships of these items to keep our volunteers active in the community.”
Volunteers form the backbone of many of Cansa teams in communities’ countrywide, as explained by loyal volunteer Minenhle Dlamini: “Doing volunteering work for Cansa is making me feel I am adding value not only to individuals but to the whole country. I wake up feeling excited and looking forward to the day because I have an opportunity to do what I have always been passionate about and that is to serve people.”
Volunteers help with care and support programmes that includes helping patients, caregivers and loved ones cope with physical side effects of cancer treatment, offering practical solutions and providing emotional support or fundraising for the Shavathon and Relay For Life events.
Admin volunteers assist with office work at care centres, virtual volunteers help with design, editing and translation of materials, while health promotion volunteers carry out awareness campaigns, and information talks in local communities. Advocacy volunteers work with legislators and professionals volunteer their professional skills and training free of charge to cancer patients, staff or volunteers.
If you or your company can assist with a donation or sponsorship send an email to lstrydom@cansa.org.za. If you would like to volunteer, sign up online at www.cansa.org.za or contact your nearest Cansa Care Centre.
