Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Become a "First Connection" Volunteer

A wonderful opportunity to help others.
From the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Pennsylvania comes an opportunity to train as a First Connection Volunteer to help someone who is facing the challenges of blood cancer. If you are dealing with a blood cancer or are a blood cancer survivor, you can train to be a Volunteer. From the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, here is the background information you want to peruse about the Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program.
Find your Local Chapter
Recognizing the needs of families dealing with a blood cancer diagnosis, the Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program gives patients and family members the opportunity to share experiences with someone who has "been through it," and obtain valuable information about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the community resources available to support them. This unique match gives the patient or family member valuable insight from someone who also has experienced a blood cancer. First Connection participants and volunteers are matched by age, diagnosis and gender when possible.

Find your local chapter
Peers are trained in basic counseling skills and are armed with local resource materials so that patients and family members need not feel isolated as they begin the process of treatment. Anyone with leukemia or related cancers is eligible to receive a call or visit. There is no charge for this program.

Volunteers Needed

To become a peer volunteer, you should meet the following criteria:

* Have an interest and commitment to helping others
* Be screened by the chapter for the program
* Participate in all training provided by the chapter

To find out more, please contact your local chapter from the Chapter Finder or visit the Newly Diagnosed Forum on our website LLS Blood Cancer Discussion Boards.
Training dates and locations for Easter Pennsylvania

Main Office in Conshohocken
First Connection Training
Date:    Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Time:    10am - 1pm
Ambassador Orientation
Date:    Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Time:    2pm - 3pm
Contact: Nancy Chhum  610-238-0360 ext. 234
 Lehigh Valley Office in Allentown
First Connection Training
Date:    Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Time::    9am - 2pm
Ambassador Orientation
Date:    Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Time:    12pm - 2pm
Contact: Megan Evans  610-266-8518 ext.10

Other Patient Services
Ambassador Orientation is special training for new volunteers to LLS.

I can tell you first-hand that opportunities like this one put a face and experience to cancer. After my initial lymphoma diagnosis, I was invited to an evening seminar on my cancer sponsored by my local LLS. The benefit to me and my husband was exponential; it reinforced that we are not alone in challenging our cancer. When I retire after over 4 decades of teaching students in high school, I am participating in this training so I can continue to learn and teach others.

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