This Monday, the Portuguese League Against Cancer (LPCC) called on citizens to join the 3,393 volunteers who make up 679,000 volunteer hours each year.
According to the League, these hours, tied to the 2023 guaranteed minimum monthly wage (national minimum wage), exceed €3.5 million per year.
Most LPCC volunteers are of working age. They are between 41 and 65 years old (43%). Women make up 84%.
In a statement released on the eve of International Volunteer Day, the League asked for more volunteers “to be able to respond to estimates of the increase in cancer incidence among the Portuguese population.”
About 20 thousand volunteers took part in the national campaign.
The now published study was based on a sample of 829 volunteers.
“The vast majority of LPCC volunteers (97%) consider volunteering to be “very or very” important, with 84% saying the activity contributes significantly to their quality of life. An even higher percentage: 89% of volunteers say that volunteering has and/or has contributed to some changes in their lifestyle, highlighting the fact that they feel happier helping others (61%) and begin to place more value on life, health and family (22%) and, finally, to be more sensitive to this matter (13%),” the document says.
Community volunteering provides health education and outreach, increases support for cancer patients and their families, and collaborates on fundraising, which is “essential to LPCC’s initiatives,” according to an institution spokesperson.
The work of hospital volunteers in institutes and hospitals with cancer services involves providing patients, both hospitalized and in waiting rooms, with the hospitality, comfort and support they need.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.