Volunteers Keep the Hospital World Turning

At The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, volunteers are an important component, and work alongside faculty and staff in the quest to make cancer history.

M.D. Anderson is ranked as one of the world’s top cancer centers and pursues excellence in patient care, research, education and prevention opportunities. Volunteers help achieve these goals.

Volunteers come to M.D. Anderson for many reasons.

“What originally sparked my desire to volunteer here at M.D. Anderson was the fact that I’m a former patient,” says Shani Broderick. “The first day that I was here, and the first day for most patients, very scary, and I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the volunteers that surrounded me that day. They made my family and I feel very welcome. Because of that, I wanted to give back some of what M.D. Anderson has given me.”

However, not all volunteers have had cancer touch their lives directly. Rick Reitz, a local business owner, volunteers every Wednesday evening as a floor host. It’s a commitment that Reitz, who is also chairman of the Volunteer Endowment for Patient Support Committee at M.D. Anderson, takes to heart.

“The thing that is so important about people volunteering here, is that they will find they will receive far more in return than the hours they spend volunteering,” says Reitz.

Jan Wallace was raised to believe that everyone should give something back to the community. With more than 25 years of volunteer service at M.D. Anderson, this veteran volunteer has done just that.

“The first day you walk through the doors of M.D. Anderson as a volunteer, your life’s never the same,” she says.

Patients come to M.D. Anderson from all over the world and so do the people who volunteer. These talented individuals often speak multiple languages and have the knowledge of many cultures - which are valuable skills when dealing with a diverse patient population.

The department of volunteer services also has an active teen volunteer program for ages 14 and above, which operates throughout the year. Jessica Lee, a former teen volunteer now attending The University of Texas, explained that a pre-med program was her planned college major and that volunteering at M.D. Anderson helped her decide that “this is really where I would like to be.”

Almost 1,500 onsite volunteers and 1,400 nationwide Anderson Network patient and caregiver volunteers utilize compassion, skills and talent to battle cancer and to make a difference in the lives of M.D. Anderson cancer patients. These volunteers come from all walks of life and range in age from 14 to 92 with an average age of 46. Thirty percent of the volunteer force is male.

Volunteer opportunities cover the spectrum – from direct patient contact through traditional services such as floor hosting, to work requiring special skills in pharmacy and laboratory positions. A volunteer is also able to coordinate their volunteer schedule into an existing lifestyle. Daytime, evening and weekend placements are available. Volunteers work in more than 70 programs.

After participating in a volunteer orientation program, new volunteers interview with a volunteer coordinator to determine an appropriate position. Volunteers may select positions with direct patient contact, limited patient contact or without patient contact.

To learn more about volunteering at M.D. Anderson, call (713) 792-JOIN (5646) or visit www.mdanderson.org/departments/volunteer/.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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