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Cancer-Related Organizations
Cancer Support, Not-for-Profit Foundations, and Related Organizations
A national non-profit organization whose mission is to provide free professional help to people with all types of cancer through counseling, education, information and referral and direct financial assistance. Individual counseling and support groups offered online, by telephone, or at on site locations. Limited financial assistance is available for such items as transportation, child care, home care, and pain medication.
Provides free, confidential, one-on-one support to people with cancer and their families. Matches patients with trained volunteers who have themselves undergone a similar experience.
The Oncology Nursing Society provides this website designed for patients and caregivers to learn about and manage each of six common cancer treatment symptoms: fatigue, anorexia, pain, depression, neutropenia, and cognitive dysfunction. The "Learn" section of each symptom tab provides quick and easy access to information that explains the causes and effects of each treatment-related symptom. Helpful articles explain the symptoms in more detail. The "Manage" section of each symptom tab provides helpful ideas on how to control or minimize the effects of that symptom. Read helpful "what to do" lists that can make a huge difference in how you feel daily. Visitors to the site can also send a question via a secure and confidential email about any of the symptoms presented on the website, and receive a private answer from an oncology nurse within two business days.
The Cancer Survivors Project (CSP) is an organized, international community of long-term cancer survivors and their friends working together to improve the lives of children and adults after cancer. CSP is committed to making available information regarding physiological and psychosocial late effects of cancer treatment, preventive care protocols, and appropriate health care. Their website provides a long term survivors email list as a way for survivors, their friends and family, and health care professionals to share information, advice and hope about the emotional and health issues associated with long term survivorship. The archives of the List can be searched, and questions may be posed to the group. While the list does not claim to offer medical advice, the insights and experiences of other survivors have often been invaluable in finding appropriate care. The website also contains a list of clinics that all see long term cancer survivor care, a reading list directed to long term survivors, and personal stories of survivors.
Among the mission of Cancer Warriors is to support much needed research of rare childhood cancers, allowing better development of treatments to assist in allowing more children the chance at a cure. Educate the public by providing the best links we have found relating to childhood cancer so anyone wanting more information can be directed to tons of informative websites relating to all childhood cancers.
CaringBridge is a nonprofit organization, offering free Web pages to those receiving care. CaringBridge has grown steadily since 1997 and by the beginning of 2003 had hosted more than 10,000 personalized CaringBridge pages, with more than 33 million visits, and more than 1.4 million guestbook entries. CaringBridge was developed using a unique grassroots approach. This service has developed ties with individuals, the medical community and corporate organizations through word of mouth. Those who visit a CaringBridge page are undeniably impacted. CaringBridge's mission is to bring together a global community of care, powered by the love of family and friends in an easy, accessible and private way.
This foundation offers free recreational support programs for kids with cancer and their families throughout the Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia area. Its primary program, called “Camp Friendship,” is a special, week-long residential camp for children with cancer, where kids with cancer can just be kids. Other programs are offered for teens, siblings, and parents.
Chemo Angels is a volunteer organization dedicated to adding a ray of sunshine to the lives of those undergoing treatment for cancer. They believe that people who are going through the physical, emotional and mental rigors of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or other cancer therapies deserve some pampering and special treatment! Patients who are in active treatment only are “adopted” by both a Chemo Angel and a Card Angel who, through cards, cheerful notes, and small, inexpensive gifts, will support and encourage the patient for the duration of treatment. A patient application form will give your Angel an idea as to what sort of "surprises" would brighten your day and lighten your heart. Patients are not allowed to request money, gift certificates, or any sort of financial aid from their Angels. And recipients are not allowed to discuss any type of financial hardship with their Angels. The focus of the program is on the patient’s health and spirit. The program maintains the privacy of its participants. Many of the Angels are cancer survivors themselves, but most are not. To become and Angel, one must be 100% dedicated and able to follow through with this gift of love.
Children and Parents Against Cancer Children and Parents Against Cancer is a national Russian non-profit organization founded in 1994 and based in Saint Petersburg. The organization unites parents of children with cancer, parents of childhood cancer survivors and bereaved parents. It advocates for the rights of children with cancer; guaranteeing access to the most advanced treatment and rehabilitation opportunities for every child with cancer. The organization also provides free psychological help to children with cancer and their families.
The mission of Gilda’s Club is to provide meeting places where men, women and children living with cancer and their families and friends can join with others to build emotional and social support as a supplement to medical care. Free of charge and nonprofit, Gilda’s Club offers support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events in a nonresidential, homelike setting. Named in honor of comedienne Gilda Radner, there are now some 17 Gilda’s Clubs located throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Coping with Cancer (National Institutes of Health) Information about complications/side effects of cancer and its treatment, as well as information on treatment-related nutritional and emotional concerns, supportive care, clinical trials, and end-of-life issues.
Melissa's Living Legacy Foundation A website for teens with cancer who have lots of living to do. A place where teens can get straight information on cancer and how to deal with cancer issues. Stories from real teens with cancer, and a place where teens can contact other teens through online chat. Also has sections for Moms and Dads, siblings, and friends.
The focus of Outlook is to address the needs of survivors of childhood cancer and their families. Their website has information on insurance and financial issues, health issues, and school and job issues. Visitors can also read personal stories from kids with courage.
Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief The Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief (CPR) Program provides direct co-payment assistance for pharmaceutical products to insured Americans who financially and medically qualify. The program offers personal service to all patients through the use of CPR call counselors. The call counselor works directly with the patient as well as with the provider of care to obtain necessary medical, insurance and income information to advance the application in an expeditious manner. Upon approval, payments are made: to the doctor, to the pharmacy, or to the patient directly. Sarcoma patients are eligible for the program, and the program holds all information received from users of the program as confidential.
People Living with Cancer (PLWC) The patient information website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), provides oncologist-approved information on more than 50 different types of cancer and their treatments, clinical trials, coping, and side effects. Additional resources include: a "Find an Oncologist" database, live chats, message boards, a drug database, and links to patient support organizations. The site is designed to help people with cancer make informed health-care decisions.
Planet Cancer is a community of young adults with cancer—the ages between "pediatric" and "geriatric." Planet Cancer focuses on this underserved cancer population. It is a place to share insights, explore fears, laugh, or even, as they put it, “give the finger to cancer with others who just plain get it.” While it does not deny the dark side of cancer, Planet Cancer firmly believes that laughter and light can turn up in the strangest places.
R. A. Bloch Cancer Foundation Guide for Cancer Supporters Various information, articles and links for the patient to best fight cancer. A guide for cancer supporters, and a state by state register of cancer survivors for various types of cancer.
Research!America is a not-for-profit, membership-supported public education and advocacy alliance founded in 1989. Its 475 member institutions represent the voices of more than 40 million people striving to make medical and health research—including research to prevent disease, disability and injury and to promote health—a higher national priority. Research! America’s work, including advocacy-related materials and programs, focuses on educating decision makers and opinion leaders about the critical need to increase the nation's investment in medical and health research. The site’s Advocacy Network and Center makes it easy for you to keep informed on legislation concerning medical research and to communicate effectively with your elected officials. Its Outreach framework includes programs and initiatives that provide advocates across the nation with messages and tools that build a unified voice for research. Research!America also conducts public opinion polls regarding health-related research.
Shared Experience Cancer Support This site contains a searchable library of the experiences of over 1900 cancer patients. The library is searchable by categories such as cancer type, diagnosis, chemo drugs, treatment and quality of life. A visitor to the site can also add their own experience to the library, read patient diaries, exchange messages, and participate in chat rooms.
SIBLINKS is a website for “young people who have or have had a family member affected by cancer. SIBLINKS is for young people aged 13-25 years who are siblings or sons and daughters of people affected by cancer.”
Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship Foundation The Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit organization which gives post-secondary scholarships to current year high school graduates who are survivors of childhood cancers in the states of Colorado, Montana, California, and Arizona. The site also contains a list of cancer survivor scholarship funds with no restrictions as to residency of applicant.
The National Children’s Cancer Society The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS), a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, is one of the largest financial aid organizations for children with cancer in the United States. It was founded during the effort to push bone marrow transplant, which initially was not covered by insurance, from its infancy to a widely acceptable form of treatment. Since its founding the NCCS has provided over $32 million in direct financial assistance to more than 14,000 children, and supplemental assistance through educational camps, programs and materials to thousands more. The NCCS now works with more than 200 hospitals and pediatric oncology units throughout the United States. In addition to providing direct financial assistance, NCCS provides educational materials designed for children about cancer, an online message board community, a quarterly newsletter, and a wealth of links to other cancer resources for children.
Dedicated to the creation and distribution of programs that empower seriously ill children and teens to address the challenges that accompany prolonged illness – and give them back their childhoods. Programs include a private online community connecting over 30,000 kids living with chronic and serious illness. Kids can chat, email, read bulletin boards, find friends, learn about healthcare conditions, surf web sites and play games... all in a private and safe environment just for them.
A national non-profit organization dedicated to providing free emotional support, education and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones. Through participation in professionally led support groups, educational workshops and mind/body programs utilizing the Patient Active Concept, people affected by cancer can learn vital skills to regain control, reduce feelings of isolation and restore hope—regardless of the stage of disease. With 20 facilities nationwide, The Virtual Wellness Community on the Internet and international centers in Tel Aviv and Tokyo, The Wellness Community provides a home-like setting for people living with cancer and their loved ones to connect with and learn from each other. All programs at The Wellness Community are free of charge.
Young Adult Cancer Resource Site Dedicated to 15-45 year-olds who have cancer. The mission of this site is to enable persons in this age group to benefit from the advances in cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment that have been achieved in younger and older persons. It assists persons to find the best available resources and clinical trials.
Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network is a not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization whose mission is to facilitate a global cancer dialogue by using communications technology to reach every person touched by cancer. It provides a variety of cancer communications projects for people of all ages and cancer types, as well as for their families, friends, physicians and healthcare providers. In particular, The Group Room® radio show is a weekly syndicated cancer talk show which is simulcast on the World Wide Web and XM Satellite. This innovative cancer talk radio program allows people from throughout the world to meet, talk, exchange information, support one another and speak in a unified voice about the cancer experience. The Group Room® radio show is broadcast live on Sundays (check the website for details). Past broadcasts of The Group Room® are available for listening at any time, as are featured interviews with cancer experts
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