Woman to Woman Mentor

Save to Favorites

Woman to Woman is a peer-to-peer support program for women newly diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. Woman to Woman at Winship Cancer Institute is a program of the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance and one of Winship’s support programs. The Woman to Woman program carefully pairs gynecologic cancer patients with trained survivor-volunteers, who provide one-on-one emotional support and mentoring.

Volunteer mentors meet one-on-one with recently diagnosed patients to listen, discuss concerns, provide support, and sometimes, just hold a hand. Mentors are carefully matched to patients based on cancer type, age, language and culture, patient preferences, as well as other relevant factors. Mentors are professionally trained and supervised by a coordinator who also oversees the program.

During the Woman to Woman mentor training, volunteers learn:

• Active listening

• Communication skills

• How to address person differences.

In addition, mentors receive an overview of gynecologic cancers and the issues associated with them to gain an overall understanding of gynecologic cancers. These survivor mentors give hope, along with the special insights that can only come from someone who has also had a gynecologic cancer experience.

Requirements:

• Complete the Volunteer Application

• Complete and pass an interview

• Provide proof of up to date vaccinations, and if applicable, complete and pass a TB test

• Receive the flu vaccine during flu season

• Complete and pass a criminal background check

• Complete orientation training

Cancer Survivors:

In addition to the above requirements, survivor mentors are required to have been out of treatment for at least 6 months prior to volunteering.

Caregivers:

In addition to the above requirements, volunteers who have had a loved one recently pass away from cancer will need to delay volunteering for at least 12 months

If you are a gynecologic cancer survivor, caregiver, or family member of a cancer patient interested in becoming a mentor, please complete the application at: bit.ly/W2Wvolunteer .