Objective

Understand the meaning attributed by people who have developed voluntary work in cancer support services.

Method

This is a qualitative study, whose theoretical framework was Symbolic Interactionism, carried out with ten volunteers in an oncology support house in a medium-sized municipality located in southern Brazil. Data collection took place between June and August 2016 through open interviews, organized with the help of the IRAMUTEQ software and thematic content analysis was carried out.

Results

As a result, three categories emerged that discuss motivation and the desire to dedicate themselves to others, obstacles to volunteer work and personal growth and satisfaction in giving to others.

Conclusion and implications for the practice

voluntary work involves cultural issues, beliefs, charity and love for others, but it can generate feelings of suffering and helplessness in addition to financial difficulties for its execution. Despite the difficulties encountered, it provides personal and professional recognition to those who perform it.

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