ESCA, the English-speaking cancer association for Geneva, Vaud and neighboring France, is looking for people to join its dynamic volunteer team in supporting—emotionally and practically—those who have cancer. They also need people who can help in planning special events, fundraising and outreach.
At the heart of the volunteering team is Kate Marx, Vice President for volunteers. A regular visitor at ESCA’s Drop-In Center in Grand Saconnex, she lights up the place with a hug here, a laugh there, and a smile for everyone!
But Kate’s first encounter with ESCA ten years ago was not so joyful, when her husband was diagnosed with cancer and needed the ease of his mother tongue to discuss the attendant emotional issues. Through a friend they were introduced to ESCA and its services, both professional and volunteer. Not long after his death Kate learned she had breast cancer herself. Once again she leaned on ESCA for support.
Since officially joining the volunteers in 2006, Kate has served as a peer supporter, giving emotional comfort and practical aid to others living with the diagnosis of cancer. Lately she has extended her training to aid residents at La Maison de Tara, Geneva’s recently opened hospice for people approaching the end of their life. (see our article on knowitall.ch)
Working for ESCA has helped multi-lingual Kate learn to live in the present moment, never give up hope and accept the things she cannot change. She told knowitall.ch, “I always want to aim for something but have learnt to enjoy the trip.”
Kate finds her volunteer colleagues give a high standard of commitment to their work and bring an enormous variety and depth of knowledge to their tasks. In gratitude for their dedication she has worked to find imaginative ways to thank them. Instead of the usual dinners and lunches, Kate convinced sponsors of the “Young People’s Choir” from New York to donate tickets for the Victoria Hall to ESCA volunteers, in December 2009 . She also raised funds for a sunset cruise on the Neptune last September and, thanks to the husband of one of her volunteers, received free tickets for the Magic Circus Show last December.
Ever the optimist she believes, “Every time one door closes there is always another one that opens.”
Men also have a valuable role to play in the volunteering team at ESCA: if you hear a hearty male laugh coming from ESCA’s Drop-In Center, it probably belongs to David, a volunteer and peer supporter since 2010. A tennis-playing gourmand who enjoys cinema, theatre, music and reading (especially thrillers), he retired from the ILO as Chief of Publications and looked for a way to give back to the community without returning to bureaucracy. At the suggestion of the then-president of ESCA he signed up for the initial orientation – a standard part of volunteer training at ESCA. “It was a fun, happy, constructive experience, “ he told us. “The trainers helped build group support through exercises that gave us skills for real world communication.” He believes he has become a better listener as a result. “I am more conscious of how I frame my responses.”
In continuing to receive peer support training (two-hour sessions four times a year, where issues such as setting boundaries are addressed), David has learned to understand and be adaptable to the changing needs of his clients. He has also been impressed by the availability of ESCA’s professional counselors to answer any questions he might have as a peer supporter.
David has been a volunteer leader in other ways too: running the information tables at the Dragonboat Festival and the annual Expat-Expo show, working in the Drop-In Center, and aiding with publicity. “There are many ways people can help without being a peer supporter and still have the pleasure of working with a well-functioning team.”
Although men are in the minority, David finds that ESCA has a healthy group dynamic. “Yes, we are serious about cancer and about how we can help others, but this is not a sad group. The organization is really joyful and compassionate; caring and understanding.” His message to other men: “Hey guys, you have something to contribute. Join our team. You’re going to enjoy it!”
To find out more about volunteering at ESCA, send an email to the association at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. With the next series of Orientation Days scheduled to take place at the end of April there is plenty of time to talk to other volunteers at the association and discover ways in which you can help.
And there are lots of volunteers to talk to! Since the volunteer programme was set up in 2005, 117 volunteers have been trained by the association. In 2011, 59 active volunteers gave 6,510 hours of their time (9.2 hours/month/person) and 31 peer supporters gave 2,615 hours to 56 clients.
To find out more about the wide range of services offered by ESCA, visit their website at www.cancersupport.ch. On the website you will also find information on their forthcoming events. Look out for details of the following events, to be announced shortly.
April 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Webster University, Family Spring Fair with awesome tombola!
May 13, 5 p.m., Evangelical Lutheran Church, Geneva, Chamber Music Concert
September 2, all day l’Abbaye, Lac de Joux Dragonboat Festival
ESCA (English Speaking Cancer Association)
www.cancersupport.ch
ESCA Office and Drop-in Centre
Ecumenical Centre,
150 rte de Ferney
1211 Genève 2
Tel. 022 791 6305
Helpline: 079 531 55 11 (outside of office hours)
Opening hours :
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10h00-14h00
or by appointment
Orientation Day
April 20 and 27, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Webster University
For information and to sign up, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
