Breast Cancer Awareness: Volunteer Resources

Want to make a difference in the fight against cancer? Explore these ideas and reach out in your community today!

Check the Web: Some great breast-cancer support can be found at City of  Hope, the American Cancer Society and the Breast Cancer Network of Strength. These groups provide information and often raise money for the cause through local walks, runs and other products and activities.

Survivors, Speak Out! "Open yourself to other women as an information source," says breast-cancer surgeon Jocelyn Dunn. "Newly diagnosed patients love to talk to other survivors for advice about what to expect from surgery and treatment."

Raise Awareness: Talk to other women about getting regular mammograms and checkups and about doing breast self-exams.

Volunteer Your Time: Find a local nonprofit center or program that helps cancer patients and let the staff put you to work where they need you most.

Cut for the Cause: Locks of Love, Beautiful Lengths and other groups can turn your lovely locks into wigs for patients who've lost their hair.

Give a Wig: If your own hair is too short to share, consider donating a wig or two to your local cancer center.

Be a Good Boss: Don't make a breast-cancer patient, who may need to go to daily chemotherapy for 33 consecutive weekdays, travel for her job.

Donate Blood: Cancer patients often need blood or platelets, says Kimberly Stump-Sutliff, R.N., an advanced oncology clinical nurse specialist and assistant medical editor for the American Cancer Society.

Get Registered: Sign up for the national bone marrow transplant registry. If you're called, know that it's not such a big deal. It's a three- to four-hour procedure that takes just a few days, says Stump-Sutliff.

Creature Comforts: DVDs, VCRs and lap afghans are always needed at treatment centers, says Stump-Sutliff.

There are lots of ways to help; this is just the beginning. We suggest you seek out the resources in your area and get creative with your volunteer efforts. One caveat: Skip the plants. There's too much bacteria in the soil, says Stump-Sutliff.