LEWISTON — In advance of a training session scheduled for November, community members who have experience with cancer are invited to apply to become a volunteer with the Maine Buddy Program.

Anyone who is a cancer survivor, has been a friend or caregiver to someone with cancer, or lost a loved one to cancer is encouraged to apply. The program is seeking potential volunteers from the greater Lewiston-Auburn area.

The Maine Buddy Program is a statewide service that pairs trained volunteers with individuals who are dealing with cancer in their lives, either through their own illness or the cancer diagnosis of a friend or family member. Buddies provide emotional support, hope and encouragement to help individuals move through their own or a loved one’s cancer journey or grief process.

Molly Stewart, MSW, mission services director at the Cancer Community Center in South Portland, provides Maine Buddy Program training, supervision and support.

 “If you have lost someone you loved to cancer or if you supported someone through cancer treatment and feel you could provide support to another person doing the same, we encourage you to become a volunteer Maine Buddy,” said Stewart.

Volunteer training will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 4 and 5, at the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing in Lewiston.

Anyone interested in applying to become a volunteer Maine Buddy can contact Molly Stewart at the Cancer Community Center at 207-774-2200 or by email at mstewart@cancercommunitycenter.org.

Volunteer applications are available online at www.cancercommunitycenter.org.

Applications should be sent by Oct. 26 in order to be considered for the November training.