Friend for Life

Become A Volunteer

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Friend for Life Cancer Support Network. It is highly important, to those we support, to our volunteers, and to the organization that each prospective volunteer:

• Knows FFL's expectations for providing one-to-one support
• Is emotionally and psychologically prepared to provide one-to-one support to others
• Receives training by healthcare professionals prior to becoming an active volunteer

As a member of Friend for Life, giving one-to-one support to a person diagnosed with cancer is one of my most personally rewarding volunteer activities. Though active in several other organizations, none of the volunteer work is so personally rewarding as trying to provide support as a cancer survivor at a most traumatic time for a person diagnosed. Giving support to a diagnosed cancer patient makes each experience a memorable one. It sounds trite, but it is so true: I get much more than I give!

At any time, if you have questions or concerns regarding becoming a Friend for Life volunteer, please contact us.

Volunteer Training

Prior to becoming an active volunteer, Friend for Life requires that you participate in training provided by healthcare professionals. For those living in the Louisville, Kentucky area, volunteer training sessions are currently provided once a year, on a Saturday. A training session lasts eight hours; breakfast and lunch are provided. There is no cost, but registration is required.

If you live outside the Louisville area or are physically unable to attend a training, please first complete the application process by completing the brief form above and submitting. Friend for Life staff will mail or e-mail you a Prospective Volunteer packet, which contains an application form.

Once Friend for Life staff have received your completed application, you will be sent a link to the Peer Navigator Manual and to the online training modules. When you reach the end of the modules, you will be given a link to a brief online survey. Once you've completed the survey, staff will contact you to follow up. At any point during this process, please contact FFL staff if you have any concerns or questions.

Peer Navigator Manual Rev. Download Document PDF

Follow Up

Following the training, you will be asked to

• meet or speak individually with a Friend for Life staff member
• provide a personal reference
• provide a physician reference (not required for co-survivors)