2-1-1

Population served: Everyone in the U.S. (check the website for availability in your area)
Mission:

2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Services vary from community to community.

Examples of service referrals include:

• Basic human need resources: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance and utility assistance
• Physical and mental health resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention
• Employment support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs
• Support for older Americans and persons with disabilities: home healthcare, adult daycare, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation and homemaker services
• Support for children, youth and families: childcare, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services.

2-1-1 Canada

Population served: Certain sections of Canada (check the website for availability in your area)
Mission:

2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Services vary from community to community.

Examples of service referrals include:

• Health services and support
• Financial and social assistance
• Housing and utility help
• Food assistance and meal programs
• Senior services and home care
• Government program assistance
• Parenting and family programs
• Disability support services
• Volunteer organizations
• Newcomer services
• Mental health support

ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center (ARCH)

Contact: 703-256-2084
Population served: Patients and caregivers in the U.S. needing assistance in finding respite care in their community
Mission:

To assist and promote the development of quality respite and crisis care programs in the U.S.; to help families locate respite and crisis care services in their communities; and to serve as a strong voice for respite in all forums

• Offers a website tool, National Respite Locator, to help caregivers and professionals locate respite services in their community
• Offers A Consumer’s Guide for Family Caregivers with information and guidance regarding the various types of respite care and where they are found.

Camp Kesem

Contact: 260-225-3736
Population served: Children ages 6 to 16 who have a parent either in remission from cancer, currently battling cancer, or that have a parent that has passed away from cancer in the U.S.
Mission:

To provide children affected by a parent’s cancer with a supportive, lifelong camp community that recognizes and understands their unique needs; in addition, to empower college students to make a difference and build invaluable leadership skills by developing and managing every aspect of their Camp Kesem chapter.

• Provides a free week of summer camp as well as opportunities to get together throughout the year with the Camp Kesem local communities we create.

Camp Mak-A-Dream

Contact: 406-549-5987
Population served: Children (beginning from age 6) and adults affected by cancer in the U.S
Mission: To provide a medically supervised, cost-free Montana experience in an intimate, community setting to children, young adults and families affected by cancer. • Offers ten camping programs throughout the year to children, teens, young adults and women with cancer, as well as programs for children who have a sibling or a parent with cancer • Provides onsite speakers that address a number of topics such as grief and loss, relationships, employment, etc.

Camp Sunshine at Sebago Lake

Contact: 207-655-3800
Population served: Children 0 to 18 years with life-threatening illnesses and their families
Mission:

To provide retreats combining respite, recreation and support, while enabling hope and promoting joy, for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families through the various stages of a child’s illness.

• Offers programs year-round and free of charge to families.  Includes on-site medical and psychosocial support.  A summer session is available for families of children with cancer who speak Spanish.  Bereavement sessions are also offered for families who have experienced the death of a child from a supported illness.

CancerCare

Contact: 800-813-4673
Population served: Individuals, families, caregivers and the bereaved in the U.S. affected by a cancer diagnosis
Other language(s): Spanish
Mission:

To provide free, professional support services to individuals, families, caregivers and the bereaved to help them cope with and manage the emotional and practical challenges of cancer.

• Oncology social workers are available for telephone counseling services to provide support, information and resources to help in coping with cancer
• Offers online support groups and educational publications
• Cancer Out Loud: The CancerCare Podcast features conversations with people living with cancer, caregivers, survivors, loved ones and the bereaved
• Connect Education Workshops in which leading experts in oncology provide up-to-date information in one-hour workshops over the telephone or online
• Financial assistance for transportation, medications, home care, child care, or durable medical equipment may be available for patients in active treatment. Eligibility guidelines vary depending on diagnosis, gender and geographic location. Call for details
• Young Professionals Committee Scholarship Program awards $2,500 grants to young adults who have lost a parent or guardian to cancer in the last two years.  Applicants must be from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania.  Call for details.
• Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp - a free retreat for families with children coping with the loss of a loved one to cancer
• Pen Pal Program: Cancer patients age 65 and older can receive letters from a caring volunteer
• Financial assistance for insured cancer patients in treatment in the US to help with co-payments for chemotherapy and targeted treatment medications who meet certain financial, medical and insurance eligibility criteria. Check the website (http://cancercarecopay.org/) or call 866-552-6729 for details.

Dear Jack Foundation

Contact: Website
Population served: Young adult cancer patients and survivors in the US
Mission:

To provide impactful programming benefiting adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer; to improve quality of life; to create positive health outcomes from treatment to survivorship.

• Breathe Now program is a yoga retreat for survivors ages 21 to 39 years (1 to 3 years from active treatment) and their partners (who were with them during treatment).  Includes healthy eating and sessions with a social worker to help couples get back to a balanced relationship and away from being patient and caregiver.
• LifeList program is for 18-39 year old patients, currently undergoing treatment for a difficult cancer diagnosis, to make a wish list of positive activities, items and/or adventures.  Includes the opportunity to connect with others who have experienced similar journeys.

Family Reach

Contact: Website
Population served: Cancer patients and their families within the 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and U.S. territories
Mission:

Dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between a cancer patient and their treatment.

• Delivers financial education, financial planning, resource navigation, and emergency relief funds to patients and caregivers facing a cancer diagnosis so no family has to choose between their health and their home.  Patient must have a cancer diagnosis; be in active treatment or have completed treatment within 1 year; receive treatment within the US, Puerto Rico or US territories; be represented by a healthcare professional from the treatment center who can communicate with Family Reach on their behalf.

First Descents

Contact: 303-945-2490
Population served: Young adults diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 39
Mission:

To provide free, life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.

• Offers various levels of adventure programs such as whitewater kayaking, rock climbing or surfing. All food, lodging, gear and instruction are included with the activity.  Travel scholarships may be available.

 

Happiness is Camping

Contact: (908) 362-6733
Population served: Children with cancer and their siblings, ages 6 to 17
Mission:

To provide children with cancer and their siblings a traditional residential camp experience together with sophisticated medical care for campers both on and off treatment.

• Offers several programs including a free week-long summer camp in New Jersey, plus family camp, counselor/mentorship program for campers and siblings age 6 to 16, and college prep camp for campers and siblings age 17.  Child must be insured and the physician must verify the child is well enough to attend. Call for more details.

Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

Contact: 860-429-3444
Population served: Children ages 7 to15 years with a serious medical condition and their families
Mission:

To ensure that every child with a serious medical condition has the chance to experience the world of possibilities that camp has to offer; to provide a unique healing experience to kids in need and their families.

• Dedicated to providing “a different kind of healing” to seriously ill children and their families throughout the Northeast, free of charge
• Campers come from many different states in the U.S. and even different countries
• COPE (Change of Pace Experience) is offered to parents of first-time campers. It is free of charge and is held off site at a hotel and retreat center. The weekend not only provides respite, renewal, laughter and fun, but also an opportunity for couples to reconnect with each other while also forming new and lasting friendships with other camp parents.

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD)

Contact: 203-744-0100 or 800-999-6673
Population served: Patients in the U.S. with rare diseases
Mission:

NORD is leading the fight to improve the lives of rare disease patients and families. We do this by supporting the rare community – its people and organizations – and by working together to accelerate research, raise awareness, provide direct assistance and drive public policy.

• Administers Patient Assistance Programs to help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford
• The Patient Information Center provides information on thousands of rare disorders and resources
• The Rare Caregiver Respite Program offers limited financial assistance to eligible caregivers so that they can take a break from caregiver responsibilities
• Hosts regional and national meetings for patients and families
• Works collaboratively with a growing roster of member organizations.

The Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation

Contact: 212-838-3029 or 800-365-1336
Population served: Transplant patients and families, caregivers, survivors in the US
Mission:

To improve the quality of life for cancer and transplant patients and their families by providing vital financial assistance, comprehensive resources, educational information, physician referrals, and emotional support programs.

• Patient Navigators provide guidance and support to anyone faced with a cancer diagnosis or needing a bone marrow or hematopoietic cell transplant
• Lifeline Fund provides financial support to help cover the costs of donor searches, medications, home and child care services, medical equipment, transportation, cord blood banking, housing costs and other expenses associated with transplant​
• Carelines provides social media tools for crowdfunding, journaling and a volunteer task calendar for anyone with a cancer diagnosis or receiving a bone marrow, stem cell or cord blood transplant 
• Scholarship Grants help make educational aspirations a reality for bone marrow, stem cell or cord blood transplant survivors
• Clinical Care Counseling provides confidential individual and family supportive counseling, financial guidance and resource referrals for cancer, transplant patients, and family members
• Ask the Expert enables individuals to anonymously pose questions concerning transplantation and to have them answered by transplant specialists
• SupportLine links transplant patients and their families with volunteers who have gone through the transplant experience
• Support Groups provide patients, families and caregivers the opportunity to share experiences and draw support from one another
• Medical and Educational Handbooks provide comprehensive transplant information and resources

The Feather Foundation - Hope for Parents with Cancer

Contact: (862) 702-9559 or Website
Population served: Parents with cancer in the US
Mission:

To provide emotional and practical support to parents who have cancer. 

• Provides emotional support through online groups, guidance and tips on parenting with cancer and self-care
• Offers resource list of other assistance available for parents with cancer
• Parents with cancer who reside in New York or New Jersey may have a social worker or health professional inquire about possible one-time financial help toward childcare-related costs.

Well Spouse Association

Contact: 732-577-8899
Population served: Caregivers, professionals, general public
Mission:

To advocate for and address the needs of individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse/partner; offers peer to peer support, educates health care professionals and the general public about the special challenges and unique issues "well" spouses face every day.

• Coordinates national network of support groups, hosts website, provides publications, holds conferences, and organizes respite weekends for caregivers.