It takes many hands to take on cancer, and volunteers make our vital work possible.
Volunteering is a great way to stay in touch with your community, and contribute your knowledge, skills and life experiences to support others.
It is because of this kind support that we can continue to run life-saving prevention programs, fund groundbreaking research and provide vital services to those who need it most.
Learn more about our range of opportunities for volunteering below, or register your interest now, if you’re ready to make your impact.
Register your interest to become a Cancer Council SA volunteer today!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering
Every day, people from all walks of life donate their time, knowledge and energy to help Cancer Council SA support the more than 11,000 South Australians impacted by cancer every year. Simply put, we can’t do it without you.
Our volunteers are crucial to local communities, delivering vital services to people impacted by cancer.
Over 450 volunteers generously donated their time, knowledge and expertise this year.
Our Cancer Connect volunteers provided over 20,000 minutes of one-to-one telephone-based peer support.
8 major fundraising events were supporting by our volunteers.
Ways you can volunteer to help South Australians impacted by cancer
Ongoing volunteers
Cancer Council SA has a range of volunteer opportunities available across fundraising, events, administration and support services.
There are always new volunteer opportunities available, so check back on this page regularly to explore the range of volunteer opportunities to suit your skills and talents.
Cancer Connect peer support volunteer
Cancer Connect volunteers provide confidential, telephone-based support to someone going through a cancer diagnosis, sharing experiences from someone who has 'walked in their shoes' and really understands what it's like to go through cancer.
Cancer Information Centre volunteer
You will represent Cancer Council SA at various hospitals around Adelaide to provide information about Cancer Council SA support services and help people going through cancer and loved ones find resources that can help.
Customer service volunteers
You will undertake a variety of office-based tasks that may include database administration, mail outs and donor relationship management.
Hospital restocking volunteers
You will visit various hospitals and treatment centres around Adelaide to restock our Cancer Council information and resources to ensure South Australians have access to trustworthy information.
Connection volunteers
Based at Cancer Council SA’s Greenhill Lodge, you will lead a variety of morning teas, activities and workshops for our regional guests who are staying in Adelaide while they undergo cancer treatment.
Transport to Treatment drivers
Based at Cancer Council SA’s Greenhill Lodge, our drivers transport our guests between Greenhill Lodge and metropolitan treatment centres.
Warehouse volunteers
You will assist in the assembly and packing of various resources to be used for upcoming fundraising campaigns and events.
Corporate volunteering
Corporate volunteering is a way for your business to give back to the local community.
By joining forces with Cancer Council SA, you can empower your employees to support a cause that impacts us all. As well as fulfilling your corporate social responsibility, it can help build a more committed, engaged, motivated and satisfied workplace.
A simple way of partnering with Cancer Council SA is by joining a volunteer team during one of our fundraising campaigns or major events.
If your business is interested in corporate volunteering, contact volunteer@cancersa.org.au or call 08 8291 4478.
Ambassadors
Cancer Council SA Ambassadors are every day South Australians who want to make a difference and partner with us to raise greater awareness of our work in the community.
As an Ambassador, you will utilise your personal experience with cancer and work alongside Cancer Council SA staff in our cancer prevention, cancer support and fundraising activities.
Some of the ways our Ambassadors support Cancer Council SA include:
- representing Cancer Council SA at community events across the state
- acting for Cancer Council SA in local communities and workplaces
- communicating cancer prevention messages to help reduce South Australia’s cancer risk
- generating awareness of Cancer Council SA’s support services within the community
- sharing their personal cancer story to promote hope and support
- leading one-off and event day volunteer teams and projects
- promoting and championing fundraising events.
Ambassadors are identified from our active ongoing and event day volunteers. They have shown leadership potential and/or have a desire to increase their commitment to Cancer Council SA.
Event day volunteers
Volunteering at one of our many events is a great way to get involved in your community, and join in the fun and excitement all while making a difference to South Australians impacted by cancer.
We regularly require assistance from volunteers at events and fundraising campaigns. Here are some of the ways you can get involved as an event volunteer:
- handing out sunscreen
- managing event registrations
- logistics and deliveries
- overseeing a volunteer Cancer Council SA site.
Keep an eye on this page for new opportunities or email us on volunteer@cancersa.org.au and a member of the team will be in touch.
School volunteering
Getting your school community involved in supporting South Australians impacted by cancer can be engaging and life changing — and there are so many ways you can make a difference, together.
Volunteering is a great way for students or schools to give back and support your local community or a cause. For more information about volunteering opportunities for your school, get in touch on volunteer@cancersa.org.au or call 08 8291 4478.
Current volunteer opportunities
We are looking for volunteers to fill these vital roles. If you’re interested in learning more about any of these opportunities or registering your interest, get in touch on 08 8291 4478 or volunteer@cancersa.org.au.
Relay For Life Event Planning Committee Volunteer
When it comes to fighting back against cancer, it takes a community and through Relay For Life, we come together to celebrate cancer survivors and caregivers, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against cancer.
Lived experience peer support volunteer (telephone)
‘The Cancer Connect Program connects people going through treatment with those who have come out the other side. It’s unique and I think that the ability for people to speak to someone who have been there provides a sense of reassurance.’
Cancer Information Centre Volunteer – Flinders Medical Centre
Cancer Council SA partners with the Flinders Medical Centre to provide a Cancer Information Centre that connects visitors to relevant information, resources, and services through the support of our caring volunteers.
Cancer Information Centre Volunteer – Lyell McEwin Hospital
Cancer Council SA partners with the Lyell McEwin Hospital to provide a Cancer Information Centre that connects visitors to relevant information, resources, and services through the support of our caring volunteers.
Cancer Information Centre Volunteer – Royal Adelaide Hospital
Cancer Council SA partners with the Royal Adelaide Hospital to provide a Cancer Information Centre that connects visitors to relevant information, resources, and services through the support of our caring volunteers.
Transport to Treatment Volunteer Driver
Cancer Council SA’s Greenhill Lodge provides a home away from home for regional and remote South Australians who need to travel to Adelaide for their cancer treatment with 120 rooms of supported accommodation, alongside cancer prevention, research and support services to ensure no one has to go through cancer alone.
Register your interest to become a Cancer Council SA volunteer today!
Volunteering FAQs
How do I become a volunteer?
You can register your interest via our online form or get in touch with our Volunteer team at volunteer@cancersa.org.au or 08 8291 4478.
Who can volunteer for Cancer Council SA?
People from all walks of life can volunteer with us. Whether you’re a student getting your school involved, or you’re retired and looking for new experiences — you’re never too young or old to make an impact.
How much time do I have to give?
You can give as much or as little time as you feel you can. Volunteering is about what’s right for you. Cancer Council SA has a range of one-off opportunities, through to ongoing partnerships — so anyone can give back.
What skills and experience do I need?
Any! You don’t have to be experienced, or a specialist to make an impact — but specialised skills are always welcome.
We have a variety of roles suited to different types of skills and experience. We also provide training and information for many of our roles. Read the position description of our current opportunities to find the right fit for you.
What training and support will I be given?
Where possible, we try to recruit volunteers with the relevant skills and experience to fit each role description. However, we do also provide induction and role-specific training for ongoing volunteers. All ongoing volunteers have access to our learning and development program and can discuss individual training and development needs with their supervisor or the Volunteer Coordinator.
Where can I volunteer?
Many of our volunteer opportunities are based at Greenhill Lodge, 202 Greenhill Road Eastwood, or at one of our many registered fundraising events across the state.
We also have opportunities to volunteer in our Cancer Information Centres in hospitals across Adelaide (Flinders Medical Centre, Royal Adelaide Hospital and Lyell McEwin Hospital).
Our Relay For Life volunteer organising committees also run events in Gawler, Riverland, Mid North, Adelaide Hills and metro Adelaide – and welcome new members.
Why should I volunteer with Cancer Council SA?
Be the start of a positive chain reaction
Volunteering has the potential to touch so many lives. Every little contribution you make is much bigger than the task at hand. By volunteering, you’re not just helping with individual activities, you’re helping direct funds towards Cancer Council SA’s vital prevention, research and support services. You’re letting everyone impacted by cancer know they’re not alone.
Gain insight into other perspectives
As part of our volunteer community, you’ll hear many personal cancer experiences and be a part of their story during difficult times. Giving someone a shoulder to lean on is a deeply empathetic experience, that shapes the way we see the world. Many people involved with Cancer Council SA — either as supporters, staff, clients or donors — are incredibly inspiring, resilient and wise, and have a positive impact on one another.
Find a more purposeful work-life balance
Cancer impacts all of our lives in some way or another. Almost one in two Australians are diagnosed within our lifetimes, and so whether we’re there for a close friend, or coming to terms with our own diagnosis, everyone has a reason to give back. Volunteering is very rewarding for both the volunteer and the people we are supporting.
Develop new relationships
If common interests are a foundation for friendship, then there is no better opportunity to meet equally passionate, driven, and like-minded individuals than by volunteering. Whether you or someone you know has gone through their own diagnosis, or you have only experienced cancer from afar, everyone can recognise part of themselves in our diverse, friendly group of volunteers.
Kick-start a new career
From fresh graduates to senior professionals, volunteering can offer the opportunity to learn new skills, refine existing ones, and even develop a new passion. There are often no prerequisites for volunteering, and it gives you the chance to learn new skills, equipping you with job-ready expertise and abilities.
Share your skills and expertise
After many years in the workforce, some individuals choose to give back by sharing their skills and expertise with others. Doing so through Cancer Council SA ensures that you’ll be able to help the community as well as your peers — giving back to the community.