Emory Johns Creek Hospital (EJCH) has partnered with CanCare to host a training program for cancer survivors to help patients currently fighting the disease. 

CanCare is a nonprofit organization that offers free and confidential emotional support and resources to cancer patients.  The organization matches volunteers with patients based on their treatments, age, gender and location. Volunteers mentor patients during their treatment and provide encouragement to patients and their families. 

The unit director for Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University at EJCH, Connie Masters, RN, says CanCare volunteers are very helpful to patients because they’ve already endured a similar journey, while battling cancer.

“CanCare volunteers offer support to our patients two to three times a week and also facilitate our monthly women’s support group,” says Masters.

Masters says volunteers complete 13 hours of training before they’re paired with patients.

CanCare has trained approximately 74 new volunteers and the group has helped patients and families at Emory Johns Creek Hospital since 2013.

“Being a volunteer allows you to give back the gift of survivorship and to be a beacon of hope,” says Neal Kuhlhorst, MDiv., LMFT, development coordinator for CanCare in Georgia.

To become a CanCare volunteer, you must be a cancer survivor who has finished treatments for at least six months, or the caregiver or family member of a cancer survivor. Applicants must register and schedule an interview before attending the training program March 11 - 13 in Johns Creek.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer, call Kay Royal at 678-977-1467 or visit http://cancare.org.