As CANSA celebrates Volunteer Day, it shines a spotlight on the dedicated people whose compassion continues to change lives across the country.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (03 July 2026) – For 95 years, thousands of ordinary South Africans have been doing something extraordinary by giving their time, compassion and energy to ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.
From comforting patients in hospital wards to leading support groups, organising fundraisers and educating communities about cancer, CANSA’s volunteers have become the heartbeat of the organisation’s work across the country.
Their selfless contribution will be celebrated on 25 July during CANSA Volunteer Day, where volunteers from across South Africa will gather under the theme “Leading with Love, Serving with Purpose.” The annual event recognises the people who quietly make a difference behind the scenes, often without expecting anything in return.
As CANSA marks 95 years of serving South Africans affected by cancer, the organisation says its volunteers continue to play an irreplaceable role in helping patients, survivors and their families.
“Volunteers are instrumental to the work we do,” says Carien Hamman, CANSA’s Volunteer Programme Manager. “They don’t simply support our staff, they lead initiatives in their communities, educate the public, comfort cancer patients and extend our reach far beyond what would otherwise be possible. When we say they are the backbone of CANSA, we truly mean it.”
For volunteers such as Tshepo Pita, Rudolph Scharneck and Winnie Ndlovu, giving back has become a journey of purpose as much as service. Each has spoken about how volunteering has not only allowed them to support people affected by cancer, but has also helped them grow personally while building stronger, more compassionate communities.
As CANSA reflects on nearly a century of service, the organisation hopes its volunteers will inspire even more South Africans to get involved. Every conversation, every awareness campaign, every fundraiser and every helping hand brings hope to someone navigating one of life’s toughest journeys.
If you’d like to become a CANSA volunteer and make a difference in your community, you can find out more by following the link here.
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