Article
More Information and Support
People often need assistance coping with the emotional and practical aspects of cancer.
General Information and Support
People with cancer and their families often need assistance coping with the emotional and practical aspects of the disease. The organizations providing Spanish-language content are marked with an S.American Cancer Society
800-227-2345, cancer.org
Offers a variety of services to patients and their families and provides printed materials, a glossary and information about cancer. S
American Society of Clinical Oncology
cancer.net
Presents timely, comprehensive, oncologist-approved information for patients and families to help make informed health care decisions. S
Cancer and Careers
cancerandcareers.org
Provides a workbook, educational resources and support for cancer patients about working through treatment and returning to work. S
CancerCare
800-813-4673, cancercare.org
Offers free support‚ information‚ financial assistance and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. S
Cancer Hope Network
800-467-3638, cancerhopenetwork.org
Matches patients with cancer and family members with trained volunteer cancer survivors who have recovered from a similar cancer experience.
The Cancer Support Community
888-793-9355,
cancersupportcommunity.org
Provides psychological and social support through nearly 50 affiliate centers, 100 satellite locations and online support services.
Fertile Hope
855-220-7777, fertilehope.org
A division of LIVESTRONG, this organization educates cancer patients about fertility issues.
FORCE
866-288-7475, facingourrisk.org
Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered provides support, education and programs to help those facing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer know their healthcare options. S
Imerman Angels
877-274-5529, immermanangels.org
Provides personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers. S
LIVESTRONG Foundation
855-220-7777, livestrong.org
Helps people with cancer through education, public health and research.
National Cancer Institute
800-422-6237, cancer.gov
Provides comprehensive information about cancer and clinical trials, as well as links to cancer centers. S
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
888-644-6226, nccam.nih.gov
Provides the latest news, research, events and clinical trials involving complementary medicine. S
National LGBT Cancer Network
212-675-2633, cancer-network.org
The National LGBT Cancer Network was established in 2007 to address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) cancer survivors and those at risk by: educating members of the LGBT community about their increased cancer risks and the importance of screening/early detection; training health care providers to offer culturally competent and safe treatment to LGBT people; advocating for LGBT inclusion in cancer research, media and mainstream cancer organizations; and supporting LGBT cancer survivors through free online support services.
National Pediatric Cancer Foundation
813-269-0955, nationalpcf.org
Funds research to eliminate childhood cancer. The research aims to fast-track less toxic, more targeted treatments through the organization’s research initiative, The Sunshine Project.
Stupid Cancer
877-735-4673, stupidcancer.org
Empowers young adults with cancer through programs, support, education and awareness.
Teen Cancer America
310-208-0400, teencanceramerica.org
Caregiving
Partners with hospitals throughout the United States to develop specialized facilities and services for teens and young adults with cancer. Builds teen-friendly environments, develops standards for age-targeted care, improves collaboration between pediatric and adult specialists and supports dedicated research to improve outcomes and survival rates.Family Caregiver Alliance
800-445-8106, caregiver.org
Offers information and advice, discussion groups and a navigator to help find local resources and services. S
National Alliance for Caregiving
www.caregiver.org
Clinical Trials
Provides support for family caregivers and the professionals who help them, and raises awareness of family caregiving issues.ClinicalTrials.gov
888-346-3656, ClinicalTrials.gov
Offers information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and conditions, including cancer.
Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups
877-227-8451, CancerTrialsHelp.org
Finances and Insurance
Contains a search engine to find cancer clinical trials close to home, a comprehensive self-study guide and helpful information for patients and caregivers.Benefits Check-Up
800-677-1116, benefitscheckup.org
A free service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit service and advocacy organization in Arlington, Virginia. Asks questions to help identify benefits that could save patients money and cover the costs of everyday expenses. Patients get a personalized report describing programs that might provide help with medication, food, utilities, legal services, health care, housing, in-home services, taxes, transportation and/or employment training. Apply online or print an application. S
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
cancerfac.org
A coalition of financial assistance organizations that has joined forces to help patients with cancer experience better health and well-being by limiting financial challenges, through: facilitating communication and collaboration among member organizations; educating patients and providers about existing resources; and advocating on behalf of patients who bear financial burdens associated with the costs of cancer treatment and care.
Medicare/Medicaid
Contact local/state Department of Social Services or welfare office.
NeedyMeds
needymeds.org
Offers information on patient assistance programs for patients who can’t afford their medications.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
888-477-2669, pparx.org
Helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need for free or at low cost.
Patient Access Network Foundation
866-316-7263, panfoundation.org
An independent, national organization dedicated to helping federally and commercially insured people living with chronic, life-threatening and rare diseases with the out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed medications. Partnering with donors, health care providers and pharmacies, PAN provides the underinsured access to the treatments they need to best manage their conditions and focus on improving their quality of life. S
The SAMFund
617-938-3484, thesamfund.org
Legal Issues
Supports young adult cancer survivors as they recover from the financial impact of cancer treatment with direct financial assistance and free online support and education. SCancer Legal Resource Center
866-843-2572, disabilityrightslegalcenter.org
Provides free information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, employers and others coping with cancer. S
Patient Advocate Foundation
800-532-5274, patientadvocate.org
Travel and Housing
Provides education‚ legal counseling and referrals to survivors concerning managed care‚ insurance‚ financial issues‚ job discrimination and debt crisis matters. SAir Charity Network
877-621-7177, aircharitynetwork.org
Provides transportation to patients traveling for treatment.
American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
800-227-2345, cancer.org/hopelodge
More than 30 lodges throughout the U.S. offer free housing to patients and their families traveling for treatment.
Resources by Cancer Type
Bladder Cancer
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
888-901-2226, bcan.org
Brain Tumors
Aims to improve public awareness of the disease and increase research directed toward the diagnosis, treatment and cure of bladder cancer.American Brain Tumor Association
800-886-2282, abta.org
Offers free publications, educational programs, support group lists, physician lists, a pen pal program and social service consultations by telephone.
Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation
866-228-4673, cbtf.org
Founded in 1988 by dedicated parents, physicians and friends. Aims to improve the treatment, quality of life and long-term outlook for children with brain and spinal cord tumors through research, support, education and advocacy on behalf of families and survivors. S​​​​​​​
EndBrainCancer
800-574-5703, endbraincancer.org
Dedicated to helping patients with brain cancer and their caregivers access information, resources and rapid treatment.
National Brain Tumor Society
617-924-9997, braintumor.org
Breast Cancer
Provides information on how to cope with brain tumors. SBreastcancer.org
610-642-6550, breastcancer.org
Helps women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast health and breast cancer so that they can make the best decisions for their lives. S
Bright Pink
312-787-4412, brightpink.org
The only national nonprofit focused on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. Its Women’s Health Provider Education Initiative is centered around a proprietary, research-based lecture, offering the opportunity to educate the next generation of women’s health care providers about how best to identify and manage risk among their patients. S
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
855-807-6386, lbbc.org
Connects people with trusted breast cancer information and a community of support. National conferences, Breast Cancer 360s, the Guides to Understanding Breast Cancer and a toll-free Breast Cancer Helpline are just a few examples of the services that are provided, always at little or no cost. S
Metastatic Breast Cancer Network
888-500-0370, mbcn.org
A national, independent, nonprofit, patient advocacy group dedicated
to the unique concerns of the
women and men living with
metastatic breast cancer.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
877-465-6636, komen.org
Provides breast health and breast cancer educational materials. S
Young Survival Coalition
877-972-1011, youngsurvival.org
Colorectal Cancer
An international network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the issues of women under 40 who are diagnosed with breast cancer. SColon Cancer Alliance
877-422-2030, ccalliance.org
An organization dedicated to championing prevention, funding cutting-edge research, and providing patient support services. S
Fight Colorectal Cancer
877-427-2111, fightcolorectalcancer.org
Gynecologic Cancer
Provides patient support and advocates for research and legislation to improve screening, diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer.Foundation for Women’s Cancer
800-444-4441, foundationforwomenscancer.org
Provides education about and awareness of gynecologic cancers. S
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
888-682-7426, ovarian.org
Provides support, education and hope for women with ovarian cancer and their families. S
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
866-399-6262, ovariancancer.org
Head and Neck Cancer
Distributes materials and sponsors an annual advocacy conference for survivors and families.Head and Neck Cancer Alliance
866-792-4622, headandneck.org
Provides resources, education and support for patients. Includes a discussion forum and clinical trial information.
Support for People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer
800-377-0928, spohnc.org
Kidney Cancer
Provides education resources and publications to support patients with oral and head and neck cancer and their families.Kidney Cancer Association
800-850-9132, kidneycancer.org
Leukemia/Lymphoma/Myeloma
Offers information about the diagnosis and treatment of kidney cancer‚ sponsors support groups and provides physician referral information.Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation
248-644-9014, clfoundation.org
Dedicated to supporting every person affected by cutaneous lymphoma by promoting awareness and education, advancing patient care and fostering research for the best possible outcomes. Aims to ensure that each person with cutaneous lymphoma gets the best care possible. S
International Myeloma Foundation
800-452-2873, myeloma.org
Provides a toll-free hotline‚ seminars and educational materials for patients and their families. S
International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation
941-927-4963, iwmf.com
Aims to support everyone affected by Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia while advancing the search for a cure, by offering mutual support and encouragement to the Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia community and others with an interest in the disease; providing information and educational programs that address patients’ concerns; and promoting and supporting research leading to better treatments, and ultimately, a cure. S
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
800-955-4572, lls.org
Provides financial aid for specified treatment expenses and transportation‚ family support groups‚ a professionally supervised peer support program‚ referrals and school re-entry materials. S
Lymphoma Research Foundation
800-500-9976, lymphoma.org
The nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted exclusively to funding innovative lymphoma research and providing people with lymphoma and health care professionals with up-to-date information about this type of cancer. LRF’s mission is to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease.
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
203-229-0464, themmrf.org
Liver Cancer
Pursues innovative means that accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure. Committed to funding research, and to educating and supporting people with myeloma, their family members, caregivers and health care professionals about the disease and today’s most promising treatment options. SYES, You Can Too
877-937-7478, beatlivertumors.org
Lung Cancer
Provides education and support, including a friend for the journey, teleconferences and a newsletter.Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
650-598-2857,
lungcancerfoundation.org
Offers patient services and programs and funds research that will lead to better, more effective treatments for patients with lung cancer. S
American Lung Association
800-548-8252, lung.org
Working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through education, advocay and research. Its vision is a world free of lung disease. S
Lung Cancer Alliance
800-298-2436, lungcanceralliance.org
Offers educational programs about lung cancer and psychosocial support.
The LUNGevity Foundation
302-417-6100, lungevity.org
Melanoma
Provides support, community and education to patients and survivors of lung cancer.Melanoma Research Foundation
800-673-1290, melanoma.org
Pancreatic Cancer
The largest independent organization devoted to melanoma, committed to the support of medical research and educating patients about prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of melanoma.Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
877-272-6226, pancan.org
Prostate Cancer
Provides information about support networks‚ clinical trials and reimbursement for care. SProstate Cancer Foundation
800-757-2873, pcf.org
Connects patients and loved ones to the latest developments, best practices and news from the prostate cancer treatment pipeline. S
Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network
800-808-7866, ustoo.org
Sarcoma
Educates patients about prostate cancer‚ offers support groups and provides information about treatment. SNational Leiomyosarcoma Foundation
nlmsf.org
Provides patient education opportunities and support through patient/family/caregiver educational programs, collaborating with cancer research centers; provides patient advocacy on legislative issues and initiatives that advance awareness of leiomyosarcoma and research efforts; and promotes and funds leiomyosarcoma research in support of accelerating treatment advancements and breakthroughs.
Sarcoma Alliance
415-381-7236, sarcomaalliance.org
Provides education, support and guidance in finding medical providers, treatment options and more. S
​​​​​​​Sarcoma Foundation
415-381-7236, sarcomaalliance.org
Skin Cancer
Provides education, support and guidance in finding medical providers, treatment options and more. SSkin Cancer Foundation
212-725-5176, skincancer.org
Stomach Cancer
Raises awareness of and educates people about skin cancer, prevention methods and early detection. SDebbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer
855-475-1200, debbiesdream.org
Thyroid Cancer
Promotes education and support for people with stomach cancer.ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association
877-588-7904, thyca.org
Provides support and education for thyroid cancer survivors. S
