Volunteers are the heartbeat of any organization, infusing it with passion, dedication, and selflessness. As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month, Cancer Lifeline takes this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to our volunteers for generously giving their time, energy, and expertise to help us fulfill our mission of optimizing the lives of all people living with cancer.

Volunteers at Cancer Lifeline come from all walks of life, representing various ages, backgrounds, and professions. Yet, they are united by a common purpose: to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones.

One of the most profound gifts the volunteers who take calls on our lifeline offer is their presence & listening ear. When someone reaches out to the lifeline, the volunteer who picks up the call holds space for the caller to talk about what they are going through in that moment. Their empathy, compassion, and genuine care creates a sense of connection and belonging that can make all the difference while someone is navigating a cancer diagnosis of their own or someone they care about.

Since our lifeline volunteers are usually the first person to interact with an individual when they hear about Cancer Lifeline, they are such an essential part of the organization and we truly could not do what we do without them. 



By helping raise our visibility in the community, providing valuable guidance, and oversight, expanding our network & facilitating new connections, the volunteers who make up our Board of Directors represent a key part of our organization. Their dedication, enthusiasm and insight not only help us raise the funds to continue providing our classes, support groups and other services for free, it also propels us forward and upwards.

Cancer Lifeline is also fortunate to have an Advisory Board of volunteers who have spent many years providing us with invaluable experience, critical counsel, passion for supporting others and important resources and connections.  The tremendous heart these volunteers share also serves to inspire our community.

We are also so incredibly grateful for our wonderful and talented facilitators who donate their time and volunteer to share their expertise. Through them, we are able to offer a wide array of classes, support groups and educational presentations that we would otherwise be unable to do.

As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month, the staff at Cancer Lifeline all extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our volunteers. Your compassion, support, and dedication inspire us all and remind us of the power of community, human connection, and supporting cancer patients and their families.

We hope all our volunteers mark and save July 11th on the calendar for our annual Impact Celebration with is a volunteer appreciation event.

Interested in becoming a volunteer with us? Learn more about opportunities here.

Emmie was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2017. After treatment, she was cancer-free until 2020 when she learned that her cancer returned and she had to undergo major surgery and more treatments. Her faith and network of supporters helped her during this time, but she felt that she needed something more. A friend introduced her to Cancer Lifeline, and she realized that the missing link was a community of people like her. At Cancer Lifeline, Emmie and her husband received free individual counseling to work through their feelings and struggles. Emmie took an exercise class to reduce lymphedema (it worked!), and many art classes to help her heal emotionally.



Click here for the full video of Emmie's Story

“I always think of the cancer journey – it’s about treatment, oncologists – but I think more important the journey is about healing. That’s where Cancer Lifeline becomes so important because they are focusing on the healing part.”

Please consider making a gift today to Fundraising with Friends, our annual spring fundraising campaign. We need your help to ensure Cancer Lifeline programs and services remain free and accessible for people like Emmie & her husband, and the thousands of clients we serve each year.

• A gift of $150 funds an Expressive Arts Therapy group meeting for children impacted by cancer.

• A gift of $300 pays for a monthly support group meeting for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) experiencing cancer.



• A gift of $500 provides three counseling sessions to support the mental health of patients, caregivers, and families living with cancer who cannot afford therapy. 

Join us in our mission to bring strength, dignity and hope to everyone who is affected by cancer.

As we awaken from the slumber of winter, there's a palpable sense of renewal in the air. The buds on trees unfurl, flowers bloom, and the sun's warmth becomes more inviting with each passing day. For those living with cancer, springtime holds a special significance—a symbol of hope, resilience, and the opportunity for new beginnings. Let's explore the parallels between the rejuvenation of spring and the journey for those living with cancer, highlighting the themes of renewal, growth, and the beauty of life after adversity. Spring is a season of transition, marked by the shedding of the old and the emergence of the new. Similarly, the journey through cancer is often characterized by profound changes-physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Those living with cancer continually navigate through the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, undergoing a metamorphosis of sorts as they adapt to their new normal. Just as the barren landscape of winter gives way to the lush greenery of spring, we can learn to embrace change and find beauty in the little things in life and ourselves. Read More.