Apply to be a Volunteer
Volunteering at Dana-Farber is a rewarding and enriching experience. Institute staff, donors, and volunteers all work toward a common goal of defeating cancer. Submit an application and a representative from our volunteer services office will contact you once your application has been reviewed.
Please inquire with Volunteer Services for the availability of all placements at Dana-Farber. Placements are based on the current needs of the departments.
The following roles have limited slots available. In your application, please list multiple roles you may be interested in. Remote Program opportunities are sometimes available. Please apply for more information.
Patients and families often find themselves overwhelmed, lost, and unaware of the many resources available to them at Dana-Farber and in the Boston area. It can be difficult to navigate a complex system while balancing the physical and emotional tolls of illness. Friendly support, guidance, and access to helpful information can help ease anxiety and frustration; it can also help patients and families feel more in control of their experience and less overwhelmed. Patients and family members will feel welcomed, supported, aware of available resources, and assisted in finding their way. Patients and families will experience decreased anxiety, greater knowledge of available resources, and increased satisfaction with their overall care.
The Ambassador Program seeks to provide patients, family members, visitors, and staff with friendly and helpful volunteers who offer directions throughout the Dana-Farber campus, both in Longwood and in Chestnut Hill. Ambassador volunteers will escort patients to appointments, while helping answer questions along the way; provide one-on-one support to help a patient or family member who might otherwise feel lost and overwhelmed; provide information about Dana-Farber programs and resources.
Primarily adult and pediatric patients and families, but staff and visitors as well.
Enhance the patient and family experience by:
Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Shifts are 7-10 a.m., 10 a.m.-1 p.m., or 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Volunteers are expected to commit to one three-hour shift for at least one year. Specific shifts, duties, and responsibilities vary by location.
The role of an E-Advisor is to provide feedback, generate ideas, and offer insight from a patient or family/caregiver perspective from an offsite location. E-Advisors may be asked to offer opinions and perspectives based upon their experience with a particular aspect of care, a department, or type of cancer or disease. E-Advisors are not active voting members of the PFACs and have a different role and responsibility to Dana-Farber.
The Program Manager will work in partnership with the PFACs to provide programmatic and operational oversight for the E-Advisor Program.
Like the PFACs, the E-Advisors advise on projects and initiatives covering many disciplines across Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in partnership with Institute staff and leadership. The goal is to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and families by advising staff and leadership from adult and pediatric oncology at Dana-Farber and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Participation will be fully virtual. Activities may include:
Questions regarding the E-Advisor Program can be directed to pfac@dfci.harvard.edu.
Apply to join our PFACs
Sales Volunteer
Volunteers who are happy to assist our customers in choosing that special gift for any occasion staff the Friends Corner Gift Shop. Volunteers have the opportunity to offer words of encouragement to patients living with cancer. We have enjoyed 25 successful years of offering these services and hope to continue for many more to come.
All proceeds from the Gift Shop go directly toward patient care and research programs at Dana-Farber.
We need dependable, reliable, attentive people who are willing to give a full day; 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., one day per week. Self direction is most helpful and a basic knowledge of a computerized cash register is also helpful but not necessary. You must be able to work in a team environment. We are looking for individuals interested in volunteer service and who want to help the Institute achieve a "world without cancer."
One day per week for a full day, 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you are a patient, former patient, or the family member of a patient, you can apply to join one of our patient and family councils:
You can also apply to volunteer in one of our support programs that link new patients with volunteers who have already experienced diagnosis and treatment:
During the past several years, many Americans have embraced integrated therapies to combat a wide range of illnesses and health conditions. People with cancer and related diseases frequently use these approaches to alleviate symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, pain and anxiety. The Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrated Therapies provide quality clinical services to patients and families, sponsor educational programs and training sessions, and conduct research studying these interventions.
The Hands-on Care Volunteer Program provides a complimentary, personal program for adult patients to support them during the chemotherapy infusion treatment days. The volunteer, trained by a licensed oncology massage therapist from the Zakim Center, will provide a 15-minute hand massage. The service is the application of a gentle and soothing touch to the hands. The service is not a treatment.
Through the application of a gentle hand massage by trained volunteers, patients will experience comfort care, relaxation, and support during their chemotherapy infusion treatments. Through this volunteer and patient interaction and connection, we are hoping for increased satisfaction in the overall patient-centered care.
Adult patients
Must be able push a cart around 15 to 20 lbs, with the necessary supplies.
Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Volunteers are expected to be available for the same three-hour block, one day per week. A one-year commitment is required.
The Marjorie and Betty Ann Blum Pediatric Resource Room is a comfortable learning center for Pediatric Oncology parents, patients, and their families to learn about disease, treatment options, and other cancer related health matters. The room houses a collection of books, brochures, laptops, iPads, and a music room, as well as crafts, games, and toys for all ages. The purpose of these materials is to provide patients with knowledge and ways to obtain support, as well as distraction and coping during appointments. The Blum Pediatric Resource Room is staffed by professionals and volunteers who are committed to helping patients and their families. If positions in the Blum Pediatric Resource Room are not available, volunteers may also be placed in the Jimmy Fund Playroom.
A mature, self-directed individual who feels comfortable working with Pediatric Oncology patients and their family members; courteous and pleasant demeanor; ability to act in a calm, efficient manner; effective verbal and written communication skills; resourceful individual; meets pediatric and adolescent competency skills; familiarity with electronics (iPads, computers, video games); organized and able to assist with coordinating resources for patients and families; able to lift 25 pounds and get up and down from floor easily.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Dana-Farber's Junior Volunteer Program is a highly competitive program accepting a small number of high school students aged 16 to 18. The program runs from July 10 through August 18, 2023. Applicants must be able to commit to one 5-hour day a week (9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) for the full six weeks, and must also be available to attend or call in to a weekly meeting. We seek to accept a diverse group of highly motivated students from a multitude of backgrounds.
Applications for the Junior Volunteer program are due by April 1, and must be submitted online.
For patients and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis, connecting to someone who has "been there" can be a great source of comfort. Our One-to-One program links individuals who have already experienced diagnosis and treatment with those who are facing it for the first time.
Must be ONE year out from initial diagnosis
Adult patients and caregivers (family or friend)
One-to-One volunteers are cancer survivors and caregivers (family and/or friends) who have completed specialized training. They talk to patients and caregivers via telephone about the treatment experience, guide them through their experience, and discuss available resources.
Most importantly, they help relieve fears and concerns because they understand what it's like to face cancer.
Questions regarding the One-to-One volunteer role can be directed to onetoone@dfci.harvard.edu.
One-to-One volunteer application
Since our inception in 1998, the Adult Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFAC) have served as a national model for healthcare institutions. By partnering with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center staff members regarding adult patient care, we help improve the patient experience and ensure patient- and family-centered care. The role of a PFAC member is to provide feedback, generate ideas, and offer insight from a patient or family/caregiver perspective. PFAC members may be asked to offer opinions and perspectives based upon their experience with a particular aspect of care, a department, or type of illness. It is important that PFAC members lead with their patient or caregiver perspective, and serve as partners to Dana-Farber staff and leadership.
PFAC members are cancer survivors, caregivers, or family members who have a strong desire to advocate for others. Responsibilities include attending 9-10 monthly meetings in person, serving on 1-2 projects or committees on an ongoing basis, being timely and responsive through email, assisting with speaking opportunities, events, or other volunteer opportunities, and sharing a personal story and patient/family perspective. A PFAC member has full voting rights on the Patient and Family Advisory Council. Voting responsibilities may include nominating and electing Co-Chairs, revising and updating the Bylaws, and making decisions on Council business.
PFAC members commit to:
The PFACs advise on projects and initiatives covering many disciplines across Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in partnership with Institute staff and leadership. The goal is to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and families by advising staff and leadership from adult and pediatric oncology at Dana-Farber and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Participation may be in person, by phone, by Zoom or other electronic means, and may involve a one-time effort or participation in an ongoing project or committee.
Activities may include:
Questions regarding the Patient and Family Advisory Councils can be directed to pfac@dfci.harvard.edu.
Apply to join our PFACs
The goal of the Resource Cart is to provide newspapers, magazines, mobile games, and other resources that can improve the patient experience at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The resource carts will also be a place for patients to obtain information about Dana-Farber programs and services from compassionate volunteers. Magazines and the New York Times are funded through a generous donation by the Marc Adam Dwares Fund.
Volunteers will travel throughout the adult clinics offering reading material and supportive resources for patients and their families. Volunteer will provide comfort to patients through conversation and general support, explaining the different services and programs that help the patients through their cancer journey.
Adult patients and their families
Must be able to push a 40-pound resource cart
The Resource Cart goes around the Institute, Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Volunteers must commit to one three-hour shift per week for at least a year.
The Center for Education and Support is a space for patients and families to learn about and access a variety of resources on cancer types, treatment, nutrition, finance, and others displayed on our Digital Resource Center. Patients and families are welcome to come by to explore our resources, read and relax, use one of our computers, or charge their phones.
Our Resource Center volunteers help patients and families to navigate the resources available at the Chestnut Hill Center for Education and Support, as well as provide more information on supportive workshops and programs going on across the Institute. They answer phone calls, triage questions, give tours of the space, and work with the Chestnut Hill Program Coordinator on other projects that aim to elevate the patient experience and enable patients and families to learn more about the array of supportive services at Dana-Farber.
If you are interested in volunteering at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute during the summer, please be advised of the following requirements:
Patients and families often find themselves overwhelmed, lost, and unaware of the many resources available to them at Dana-Farber. It can be difficult to navigate a complex system while balancing the physical and emotional tolls of illness. Friendly support, guidance, and access to helpful information can help ease anxiety and frustrations; it also can help patients and families feel more in control of their experience and less overwhelmed. This is especially true in a new location.
Volunteers will reach out to patients visiting our Chestnut Hill and Foxborough locations for the first time to provide them with insight and answer any questions they may have about these campuses. The volunteer will provide one-on-one support to help a patient or family member who might otherwise feel lost and overwhelmed, as well as provide information about Dana-Farber programs and resources.
