Volunteer Endowment

Nurturing a Culture of Caring

Patients receiving treatment at MD Anderson often face challenges beyond medical issues. Observant volunteers established an endowment in 1991 that extends a helping hand, offering peace of mind that enables patients to focus on recovery. Today the Volunteer Endowment for Patient Support (VEPS), made possible by the generosity of caring donors, offers a perpetual source of funding to benefit patients and caregivers.

A grant award program of Volunteer Services and Merchandising, VEPS distributes funding to departments that are positioned to assess patients’ ancillary needs. These grants, administered by areas such as clinical departments, nursing units and Social Work, make a critical difference in providing essentials such as lodging, transportation, meals and parking, as well as educational materials.

Support from VEPS enables departments to be responsive when employees and volunteers recognize the need for programs and services that complete the circle of care. VEPS also provides seed funding for pilot programs that later are transitioned to department budgets. Many essential services provided by VEPS are not able to be supported through other funding sources. Yet even as the endowment has grown, the need increases. Philanthropy currently supports VEPS. Every gift toward the endowment ultimately increases the level of support to help patients in areas that make a difference for well-being when they need it most. You can help make a difference. 

To donate directly to the Volunteer Endowment for Patient Support please contact Jocelyn Rogers for assistance at jbrogers@mdanderson.org.