LEWISTON — The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing is offering free volunteer training for the Maine Buddy Program™. The training will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the center, 29 Lowell St.

The Cancer Community Center’s Maine Buddy Program™ links participants (people living with cancer, their loved ones or individuals who have lost someone to cancer) with volunteer Buddies (people who have had a similar cancer or loss experience) to provide peer support.

Jani Darak-Druck, manager of volunteer services for the Cancer Community Center, and Mary Dempsey, assistant director, Dempsey Center, will facilitate the training.

The program includes the following topics: dealing with major illnesses, death and dying and grief and loss; experiential learning for active listening and sensitivity; and familiarization with expectations and guidelines of the program.

The program is appropriate for any adult cancer survivor, family member or someone who has lost a loved one to cancer. All volunteers should be over six months post-treatment or one year past a loss.

Pre-interviews and applications are required.  Call for more information at 795-8250; toll-free 1-877-336-7287.