ASCO has partnered with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO), an international medical education organization, to give ASCO’s member oncologists an opportunity to support cancer care medical centers in developing countries, share their medical expertise, and build long-term, supportive relationships with the doctors who provide cancer care in these countries.

Through the International Cancer Corps (ICC), volunteers are paired with a medical center where the training needs of the facility match the expertise of the volunteer. Volunteers spend one to four weeks onsite, where they will teach and train staff, residents, and students, and gain insights into the center’s cancer management needs and challenges. While ICC volunteers will not treat patients directly, their value will be in sharing their clinical knowledge and skills with their international colleagues. Upon their return to the United States, ASCO’s member volunteers will continue to share the Society’s professional resources with the medical center to help sustain and improve cancer care in the region.

There are currently two sites accepting oncology volunteers -- Tegucigalpa, Honduras and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia -- with plans to open a third later in 2011.

ASCO members interested in learning more about the International Cancer Corps (ICC) should send an e-mail to international@asco.org.

Tegucigalpa, Honduras
This program focuses on the ongoing development of an oncology training program for both adult and pediatric oncology at three centers in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras – the Hospital Escuela, the Hospital San Felipe, and the Cancer Center Emma Callejas. Assignments range from 1 to 4 weeks.

Volunteers must be appropriately trained and credentialed medical professionals who specialize in oncology. This includes physicians (medical, radiation, and surgical oncology), laboratory professionals, and nurses.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
This program focuses on improving the quality of oncology services at the Black Lion Cancer Center by providing training to residents enrolled in the clinical oncology training program, surgeons, radiotherapy specialists, oncology nurses, pathologists, and others. Volunteers will also support the development of a national cancer plan and education in cancer prevention measures. Assignments range from 2 to 4 weeks.

Volunteers must be appropriately trained and credentialed medical professionals who specialize in oncology. This includes physicians (medical, radiation, surgical oncology, among other specialists), laboratory professionals, and nurses. Final year oncology fellows will be accepted if paired with an experienced volunteer.