Peer Support Programs for Cancer

The UCSF Cancer Center Peer Support Programs connect interested patients via telephone with either a cancer survivor or someone further along in treatment. There is no cost, and everyone is welcome. (You don’t have to be a UCSF patient to participate.) Programs are offered through the Ida & Joseph Friend Patient and Family Cancer Support Center.

UCSF also has peer support programs specifically for patients with brain tumors and their caregivers. Learn more about neuro-oncology support.

UCSF Cancer Center peer support for patients

Our trained volunteers are here for you. They share their experiences, provide information and offer confidential support to meet emotional as well as practical needs. Please note that volunteers do not give medical advice.

You can request peer support using our online questionnaire. Please allow at least 10 minutes to complete it, and once you start answering the questions, continue to the end. (The form doesn’t allow for returning later to finish or make changes.) If you need to make changes or additions after submitting the questionnaire, there is a link to contact the coordinator directly.

Interested in becoming a peer support volunteer?

We're grateful to patients and survivors who are willing to share their experiences and insights as peer support volunteers. If you're interested in helping other patients and making rewarding connections, consider applying to join the team.

You may be eligible to serve as a peer support volunteer if you've completed treatment or have been in active surveillance for at least six months. Qualifications for the role include good listening and communication skills and the ability to speak from personal experience. After applying, you'll have an initial interview to determine whether this role is a good fit for you.

Once selected, volunteers will:

  • Commit to upholding the values and mission of UCSF
  • Attend a two-and-a-half-hour training (currently conducted online)
  • Complete and sign training documents and a confidentiality agreement
  • Commit to at least one year of volunteering

For more information, please email us or call (415) 885-3693.

Neuro-oncology peer support

Patients with brain tumors have specific needs, as do their caregivers. Learn more about our neuro-oncology peer support programs by clicking the links below.

UCSF Neuro-Oncology Survivors' Peer Support Program for Patients
Are you struggling with life after brain cancer treatment? Could you use a listening ear from someone with firsthand understanding of the experience? Connect by telephone with a brain cancer survivor or a patient who is further along in their treatment.

UCSF Peer-to-Peer Caregiver Connection Program
We understand that a brain tumor diagnosis impacts the patient's family and other loved ones. Connect with spouses and family members who know what it's like to care for a brain tumor patient. Learn about resources and strategies to help you manage.