Our Odyssey Fellowship Program gives Patient Advocates the opportunity to participate in a two-week Onsite Odyssey and to engage in a one-year AFC Fellowship. This opportunity is open to individuals who have shown a demonstrated commitment to the cancer community and are actively involved in cancer advocacy, research, or providing support to a cancer related program.

All participants of the Onsite Odyssey program will experience AFC’s innovative approach, which includes:

• A comprehensive framework of support, tools and resources to help patients, survivors, and caregivers address the emotional scars of cancer and expand their stories far beyond the disease.
• Extensive pre-departure, on-site, and post-program support to prepare you – not just for the experience of a lifetime, but also to integrate what you have learned into your life and community
• The opportunity to gain new perspectives, redefine what’s possible, and feel a renewed sense of purpose and community.

Our Odyssey Fellows spots are open to individuals who demonstrate financial need, who would not be in a position to fundraise the full Odyssey program fee, and who will commit to the items outlined below as a way to pay forward the experience.

Fellowship Commitment 

As part of the Odyssey Fellows Program, all Fellows will engage fully in an onsite program for two weeks, as well as commit to the following activities:

• Engage fully in the 20-week Odyssey Framework content in order to share insights both before and after the onsite program 
• Attend monthly fellowship calls for a period of 12 months 
• Play an active role in a project for AFC as part of a team with other AFC Fellows (this project will vary) 
• Promote A Fresh Chapter programming to others via social media, blog posts, in-person meetings, etc.
• Assist AFC in identifying potential applicants by reaching out to cancer organizations with advocacy-related programs (e.g. ASCO, AACR, Alamo Breast Cancer, Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation etc.) or  other individuals who may be a good fit for one of AFC Odyssey Programs
• Write 2 blog posts to be featured on the AFC website.
• Provide feedback to AFC to ensure continued success of Fellows Program
• Provide mentorship to future AFC Odyssey Fellows
• Give insight into the development of future training session(s) for alumni to become a certified AFC Ambassador and share AFC’s tools and resources with patients and caregivers in community-based settings in the United States.

Time Commitment:

• Onsite during the program: two weeks
• Pre and post program preparation, Odyssey Framework insight, and mentorship: 5-7 hours/month for a period of 1 year.

Cost:

• Odyssey Fellows will be responsible for fundraising or paying for a portion of the Onsite Odyssey Program Fee, round-trip airfare to the location of the Onsite Odyssey Program, and any costs associated with immunizations or vaccinations. The amount of financial assistance available from AFC to cover a portion of the Onsite Odyssey Program Fee will be determined on a sliding scale.  All other program-related costs will be covered through the Odyssey Fellows Program. 

Selection Criteria

Skills/Experience Required: 

• A demonstrated commitment to the cancer community through volunteering and/or working within the cancer advocacy space either as an independent advocate or as part of a broader advocacy or health-related organization OR the right interpersonal skills and personality characteristics to emerge as a new leader within the advocacy space.
• A track record in sharing your patient or primary caregiver story with diverse audiences – either online or in-person
• Connection(s) to broader patient communities to gain insights and ideas to help AFC adapt the Odyssey Framework for an online audience

Attributes Required by All Advocates:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – both written and verbal
• Resilience – the ability to navigate jet lag and/or a busy schedule for a period of 2 weeks
• Flexible and patient demeanor
• Strategic thinking – the ability to translate your personal cancer experience as well as your AFC experience and think broadly about how to support a wide and diverse audience
• Desire to build cross-cultural relationships
• Emotionally stable and in a position to support others
• Must have a medical professional sign a medical clearance form and be in a stable enough health position to get all required vaccinations/immunizations for travel to Peru

Application Process 

• Apply for the Onsite Odyssey program of your choice
• During your second round interview with an AFC Facilitator, you will have the opportunity to discuss your interest in applying for a Fellowship
• You will then have the opportunity to complete a Fellowship application.  Be prepared to provide a resume/bio, as well as the name of a professional reference who can speak about your skills, advocacy, and potential.
• Fellowship Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the AFC Fellows Selection team
• You will be notified if you are selected for a Fellowship Interview, which will be conducted by an Alum of the AFC Fellows Program. a member of the AFC Selection team, and/or an AFC Facilitator