Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF)
Contact: 610-649-3034 or 866-333-1213Population served: Children with cancer and their families, caregivers, young adults, healthcare professionals and researchers related to childhood cancer
Mission:
To change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families, and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer.
- Travel For Care Program offers financial assistance to eligible families for travel for childhood cancer treatment at medical institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Patient must be diagnosed by age 18 and be under 21 and in active oncology treatment following a relapse, or enrolling in or currently participating in a clinical trial for active oncology treatment or a treatment innovation not available at their local institution. Applications must be submitted by a social worker or medical representative.
- Childhood Cancer Treatment Journal is a free treatment organizer for families of childhood cancer to help parents keep track of important treatment information.
- Ambassadors Program involves family members and friends of a childhood cancer hero who choose to get more involved with ALSF.
- My Childhood Cancer: Survey Series aims to better understand how childhood cancer affects families.
- SuperSibs Programs aim to comfort, encourage and empower siblings during their family’s battle against childhood cancer.
- Offers a free guide for education professionals to help patients, their siblings, and classmates cope with a diagnosis or death in their school community.
CancerFinances.org
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and health professionals
Mission:
To provide individuals diagnosed with cancer with information and tools to help make sound financial decisions before, during, and after cancer treatment
- Online ‘Toolkit’ offers targeted information about health insurance, disability insurance, education, employment, family building, medical bills, financial assistance, and more.
Cancer Support Community (CSC)
Contact: 888-793-9355Population served: People affected by cancer in the U.S. and Canada
Other language(s): SpanishMission:
To provide support, education and hope to people affected by cancer; to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.
- Offers support through a network of more than 52 local affiliates and 175 locations
- Cancer Support Helpline® - offers resources and emotional support via phone or live chat, and is staffed by licensed mental health professionals
- MyLifeLine - create a private, personal webpage to help keep family and friends stay involved and informed
- Frankly Speaking About Cancer® – education series that provides trusted information on a variety of topics important to people affected by cancer; information is available in a variety of formats
- Virtual Home - resources to connect you to education, support, and action opportunities to enhance your health and well-being from the comfort of your computer
- Open to Options – provides general information about clinical trials, helps patients identify important questions about treatment options and decisions based upon personal needs
- CancerSupportSource® - a tool that assesses distress in key areas (such as sleep, nutrition, worry about the future) and provides referral and follow-up care for all patients
- Cancer Experience Registry - a unique online community that brings people impacted by cancer together to make their voices heard, connect with each other, share experiences, learn from and help others
- Cancer Transitions – an evidence-based programs for cancer survivors who have completed their treatment (in partnership with LIVESTRONG)
Cassie Hines Shoes Cancer Foundation for Young Adults
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors
Mission:
To guide young adults with cancer to social support programs and services that can help them manage their mental healing as well as their physical battle.
- Survivorship program in Northern Michigan consists of 6 days of adventure-based learning at no cost
- Travel Assistance for young adults to attend an approved survivorship program in the US
- Annual Base2Summit Scholarship for a Michigan resident who is accepted to an accredited school of higher learning; see website for details
- Lists a variety of survivorship resources related to support, finances, legal, etc.
Chemo Angels
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Pediatric (age 4 and up) and adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in the US
Mission:
To offer support and encouragement to cancer patients in treatment
- Volunteers send cards and uplifting messages to cancer patients via postal mail
- Website provides links to patient resources.
Childhood Cancer Canada
Contact: 416-489-6440 or 800-363-1062Population served: Children with cancer and their families in Canada
Mission:
To create victories for Canadian children with cancer through investment in national, collaborative, lifesaving research, empowering education and community programs.
- Provides information and support for families of newly diagnosed children plus special events
- Provides scholarships for childhood cancer survivors
- Offers a benevolent fund to assist with funeral expenses
Dear Jack Foundation
Contact: WebsitePopulation 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.
Elephants and Tea
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Adolescent and young adult cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals worldwide
Mission:
To help adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, survivors, and caregivers know they are not alone in their fight with cancer
- Provides a free quarterly print magazine and online site with stories and experiences written by young adult cancer patients and survivors
- Offers digital programs and events to bring the AYA community together to interact and empower each other
- Collaborates with AYA organizations across the US.
First Descents
Contact: 303-945-2490Population 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.
Give an Hour
Contact: Website onlyPopulation served: U.S. troops and families affected by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and other post-9/11 conflicts
Mission:
Give an Hour™ asks mental health professionals nationwide to literally donate an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families. Individuals who receive services will be given the opportunity to give an hour back in their own community.
- In addition to direct counseling services, the providers are working to reduce the stigma associated with mental health by participating in and leading education, training, and outreach efforts in schools and communities and around military bases.
HelpPRO
Contact: 800-652-0155 or websitePopulation served: Anyone seeking mental health clinicians in the U.S.
Mission:
To improve the public's access to the services of mental health clinicians and organizations. Our vision is that every person in America can readily find mental health services to meet their needs.
- Therapist Finder carefully identifies users’ needs and interests and matches these with our therapists’ capabilities. Matching process increases the likelihood that users and therapists will make positive, lasting connections from their very first meeting. Database contains detailed information on thousands of mental health professionals, their services and their organizations across the country.
Lacuna Loft
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers, ages 18 to 45
Mission:
To encourage, empower and connect young adult cancer survivors and caregivers
- Provides online support programs
- Lifestyle information and resources
- Creative workshops, writing group, Speaker Series, and more.
LIVESTRONG Foundation
Contact: 855-220-7777Population served: Cancer patients and survivors in the U.S.
Other language(s): SpanishMission:
To inspire and empower people affected by cancer; to provide support to guide people through the cancer experience, bring them together to fight cancer—and work for a world in which their fight is no longer necessary.
- Provides information on topics that influence the “physical, emotional and practical” effects of cancer
- Provides free, confidential, one-on-one support to anyone affected by cancer, not just patients, through education, referrals and counseling services
- Planet Cancer connects young adults and helps them access support, advocacy and resources.
- LIVESTRONG Fertility - Dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.
- Maintains a list of LIVESTRONG Survivorship Centers of Excellence, which is comprised of National Cancer Institute(NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Centers
- Offers The LIVESTRONG Guidebook to help cancer patients and survivors as they navigate the health care system.
Momcology
Contact: Website or info@momcology.orgPopulation served: Caregivers to children with cancer, healthcare professionals
Mission:
To help empower, inform, and heal caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer through peer support and evidence-based programs.
- Provides online communities for parents seeking peer connections
- Retreat program offers a weekend of self-care, peer connecting and the opportunity to develop the tools to obtain balanced living in the aftermath of a pediatric cancer diagnosis
- Caregiver Coffee Breaks empower a parent to build an in-person or virtual peer support community
- In-hospital support groups available in certain geographic areas
- Connects caregivers to patient family engagement opportunities and approved caregiver studies.
National LGBT Cancer Network
Contact: 212-675-2633 or WebsitePopulation served: Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals in the US
Mission:
To improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk by educating the LGBT community about increased cancer risks and the importance of screening and early detection; training health care providers to offer more culturally-competent, safe and welcoming care; and advocating for LGBT survivors in mainstream cancer organizations, the media and research.
- Resource library contains up-to-date research articles, webinars, videos, fact sheets, etc.
- Maintains directories of LGBT-welcoming cancer screening facilities and cancer treatment facilities in the US
- Provides LGBT cultural competency trainings for health and human service providers.
Patient Resource Cancer Guides
Contact: (913) 725-1600Population served: Patients and caregivers
Other language(s): SpanishMission:
To empower people who are suffering with life-altering diseases by giving them the most comprehensive and up-to-date guides to treatment and facilities for their disease free of charge.
- Provides free educational materials, written for ease of understanding, in print and online.
Starlight Children’s Foundation
Contact: 310-479-1212Population served: Children and teens with chronic or life-threatening medical conditions in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Israel, Australia, New Zealand; teens ages 13-20 with medical issues worldwide and their teen siblings
Mission:
Partners with experts to create programs that help brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families.
- Partner facilities offer in-hospital programs such as parties and entertainment
- Check with your child’s treatment center to see if a Starlight Comfort Kit is available (backpack filled with toys, games, books).
Stupid Cancer
Contact: 877-735-4673Population served: Young adult cancer patients and survivors, caregivers
Mission:
To empower, support, and improve health outcomes for the young adult cancer community
- Offers CancerCon - an annual 4-day gathering which includes informational workshops, educational breakout sessions, group discussions, networking opportunities, and social activities
- Organizes meet-ups - volunteer-hosted social gatherings of local groups of survivors
- Hosts the Stupid Cancer Show - a YouTube Channel featuring interviews with survivors, informational episodes, and radio show content
- Offers an online community including regional Facebook groups, online forums, blogs, and social media
- Stupid Cancer Summit: free, one-time events hosted at cancer centers to share information, provide resources, and bring together the local young adult survivor community
- Lists other organizations that provide financial, legal, reproductive, and other assistance.
Sy's Fund
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Young adults ages 18-39 in the US who are receiving medical care for cancer or severe medical issues related to their cancer
Mission:
To assist young adults who are facing the challenges of cancer by funding their creative passions, pursuits, and hobbies as well as integrative therapies.
- May help young adult cancer patients with funding for integrative therapies such as massage, reiki, acupuncture, etc. May also provide meaningful gifts (e.g. art supplies) to pursue creative goals.
Teen Cancer America
Contact: 310-208-0400Population served: Teens and young adults with cancer, survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals
Mission:
To improve the experience, outcomes, and survival of teens and young adults with cancer by providing facilities and programs designed especially for them in hospitals across the USA.
- Partners with hospitals around the country to provide strategic guidance to establish specialized facilities and services for the teenage and young adult cancer community
- Offers stories, videos, a newsletter, and list of resources through the website.
The Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation
Contact: 212-838-3029 or 800-365-1336Population 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 WebsitePopulation 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.
The Patient Story
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Patients with various types of cancer (including Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma), caregivers and interested individuals
Mission:
To humanize every cancer diagnosis; to help improve quality of life and health outcomes
- Gives cancer patients and caregivers a sense of calm and control by showing them what their lives may look like post-diagnosis with FAQ-type answers and simple yet detailed visuals like timelines
- Provides cancer survivors a chance to share their stories with those who need that help the most, empowering them to help turn their experiences into something positive.
The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer
Contact: 617-938-3484Population served: Young adult cancer survivors between the ages of 21 and 39, finished with active treatment and residents of the U.S.
Mission:
The SAMFund supports young adult cancer survivors in the U.S. as they recover from the financial impact of cancer treatment. Through direct financial assistance, in-person and online support, The SAMFund helps young adults move forward towards their personal, professional, and educational goals.
- Grants cover a wide range of post-treatment financial needs (must be related to the cancer experience), such as current and residual medical bills, car and health insurance premiums, rent/mortgage, Continuing education, utilities, family-building expenses, gym memberships and mental health expenses
- The 2-part application process is open in January and June of each year
- Webinars provide information on a range of Young Adult issues and challenges including dealing with medical debt, employment, insurance, and fertility.
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
Contact: 410-964-0202Population served: Young adults aged 15 - 39 who are affected by cancer - through their own diagnosis or that of a loved one, primarily in the Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC areas
Mission:
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults enhances lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer.
- Offers programs and services providing cancer support, information on health and wellness, advocacy, and education specific to young adults dealing with cancer
- Provides financial assistance for individuals within the geographic region we serve. Scholarships have some national eligibility
- Promotes awareness through sports programs to empower individuals in the fight against cancer through active lifestyles
- Some support provided is done in conjunction with other organizations to ensure the best outcomes.
True North Treks
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Young adult cancer survivors ages 18 to 39 and their caregivers in the United States.
Mission:
To empower teens and young adults with cancer, and those who care for them, to live longer, healthier and more meaningful lives through free backpacking and canoeing treks in beautiful wilderness destinations.
- Please see website for specific trek information, application details and fundraising requirements.
- Participation may include additional outdoor activities, mindfulness meditation and yoga.
WidowedParent.org
Contact: Website onlyPopulation served: Widowed mothers and fathers with children in the home, professionals
Mission:
To support widowed mothers and fathers with children in the home.
- Hosted by the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, the website offers information for parents and children about dealing with grief plus an online list of resources and supports.