The role of volunteer services at cancer centers.

Volunteer services can be effectively used to provide valuable supportive services to patients with cancer and their family. Providing companionship, a sense of self-worth, information, and respite care are among the important services typically provided by volunteers through outpatient, inpatient, and hospice services. Supportive benefits have been linked with reduced symptoms and may even enhance survival. Offering inpatient and outpatient respite services provides needed relief for family caregivers. Complementary therapies may also be provided through volunteer services, with research studies consistently showing benefits from Reiki and animal-assisted therapy offered through volunteer care.