Ways to volunteer

The Canadian Cancer Society’s strongest asset is our dedicated volunteers. By offering the most meaningful opportunities for you to make the biggest difference as a volunteer, we’re having more impact, against more cancers, in more communities, than any other cancer charity.

To get the most out of your volunteer experience we encourage you to pursue your interests, challenge yourself by trying new activities and get connected with others. You can choose from volunteer opportunities in a variety of areas that can match your skills, interests and availability.

We offer a flexible range of ways to become involved, no matter how much time you have or the skills you are looking to share. Our volunteer opportunities include fundraising activities, health promotion, advocating for prevention, supporting people with cancer, office support and leadership roles.

There’s no shortage of ways to volunteer here in Ontario. Consider thinking about structuring your volunteer involvement based on:

• Time

  How much time do you have to share and how long are you looking to be involved for?

  If you have a few hours, why not consider selling daffodil pins during Daffodil Month in April?

  If you have a few hours each month, consider joining a leadership group like a Relay For Life event committee.

  If you have a lot of flexibility during the day, consider becoming a driver to help cancer patients get to treatment or offering your talents in one of our community offices.

• Skills

  What skills are you looking to share or which skills do you want to learn or practice?

  If you have fundraising, budgeting or planning skills, consider becoming a member of a Society event committee.

  If you have skills in networking, sales or marketing, consider becoming an ambassador in your community.

  If you’ve had a direct cancer experience and are a survivor or past caregiver, consider becoming a Peer Support volunteer.

• Location & Scope

  Do you want to focus your volunteer time on directly helping your neighbours or would you like to have a role that is broader in scope? Do you want to do something in person or mostly volunteer from home or online?

  If you’re looking to help out your neighbours, consider becoming a Public Issues volunteer and advocate for healthy public policy in your own backyard.

  If you want to be at the centre of the action, consider volunteering at a Society fundraising event, one of our community offices or driving clients to cancer treatment. You’re sure to meet some amazing people.

  If you want to volunteer in your pajamas or once the dishes are done, consider a short-term project or working group where most of the work is done online and no one has to know!

• Youth Volunteer Opportunities

  Youth are involved in every aspect of the Society’s work as volunteers: organizing Relay For Life Youth events, selling daffodil pins, assisting with all aspects of community fundraising initiatives, taking part in Youth Leadership Councils, as well as tackling health promotion activities and advocacy campaigns. In fact, over the past few years approximately 24% of new volunteers in Ontario were under the age of 18. The young people involved as Society volunteers bring hope, energy and excitement for a future where no Canadian fears cancer.

  If you’re looking for ways to complete your required 40 hours, or just looking for ways to fight back against cancer, check out our youth volunteer opportunities.

• Still not sure?

  After reviewing some of the suggestions above, you may still not be sure about what role is right for you, or see a role that you’re really excited about. That’s okay! Check out the left side navigation where many of the ways volunteers are involved are listed, or better yet, contact your local community office and have a conversation about your ideal volunteer role.