CANSA Volunteer Day 2026

As CANSA celebrates 95 years of service in 2026, we pause to honour the thousands of volunteers who have helped shape our legacy of research, education, advocacy, screening, care and support. Their selfless commitment has enabled CANSA to reach communities across South Africa every single day, bringing hope, support and practical assistance to those affected by cancer.

This year, we proudly hosted our second annual CANSA Volunteer Day, a special occasion dedicated to recognising the extraordinary people who generously give their time, energy and compassion in support of our mission.

Under the theme "Leading with Love, Serving with Purpose," we celebrated the remarkable leadership, kindness and dedication that our volunteers bring to every community they serve.

A Day of Celebration Across South Africa

A total of 376 volunteers joined us at 15 Volunteer Day events held across the country, including: Cape Metro, Paarl, Ceres, St Helena Bay, George, Gqeberha, Springbok, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Bedfordview, Pretoria, Vanderbijlpark and Rustenburg.

Volunteers were treated to a memorable day filled with entertainment, inspiring guest speakers, fun games and activities, thoughtful gifts and a special CANSA Volunteer T-shirt to commemorate the occasion.

Many of these celebrations were made possible through the generosity of donors who recognise that volunteers are among CANSA's greatest strengths. Their support helped create meaningful experiences that made our volunteers feel valued, appreciated and celebrated.

More Than Volunteers, A Community

One of the most rewarding aspects of this year's events was hearing directly from our volunteers. The overwhelming feedback highlighted how much they appreciated being recognised as part of the CANSA family.

For many, the highlight of the day was the opportunity to meet CANSA staff members and fellow volunteers they had never met before. These connections fostered a true sense of belonging and community, reminding us all that while volunteers may serve in different regions, they are united by a shared purpose: making a meaningful difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer.

Looking Ahead

It won't be long before planning begins for next year's Volunteer Day, and we're excited about the possibility of hosting even more events and welcoming even more volunteers to join the celebrations.

We're also always eager to welcome new volunteers into the CANSA family. If you're passionate about making a difference in the fight against cancer, we'd love for you to become part of our volunteer community.

Together, we can continue bringing hope, support and care to those who need it most, ensuring that no one faces cancer alone.

Ready to make a difference?

Apply online today and become part of a community that leads with love and serves with purpose.

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Did You Know?
Your donations enable free services, for example, CANSA Tele and Virtual counselling in most SA languages by trained counsellors, support groups (face-to-face; WhatsApp and FBK); guidance from our Clinical Nurses regarding coping with the side effects of cancer, cancer treatment, dietary tips, stoma care and pain management – enquire at info@cansa.org.za; our Advocacy department assists patients experiencing stock shortages, delays in screening and cancer treatment, and lack of access to appropriate pain management medications; transport to and from cancer treatment centres is provided to our cancer patients staying at CANSA Care Homes, who would otherwise live too far away to receive treatment. Children and teens with cancer and their parents / guardians stay at our CANSA TLC Lodges for free during treatment. Our two TLC wig banks for children / teens provide free wigs to those in need.