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
A Special Wish Foundation
Contact: 614-258-3186Population served: Children under the age of 21 diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. Grants wishes in Ohio first, as they are based in Ohio, and out-of-state wishes on a case-by-case basis.
Other language(s): SpanishMission:
To grant wishes to children with life-threatening/terminal medical disorders, thereby enhancing the quality of their life while providing emotional support to their family.
Clayton Dabney Foundation for Kids with Cancer
Contact: 214-361-2600Population served: Needy children 18 years old or younger in the last stages of terminal cancer
Mission:
Provides needy families, with children in the last stages of terminal cancer, assistance in creating everlasting memories. The assistance is arranged through the parents and is anonymous to the child.
- Medicine of the Heart is an outreach program that has helps families and distributes monies to provide last wishes, gifts and financial assistance to terminally ill children and their needy families across the U.S.
- If a child is under the age of 21, was diagnosed before turning 18 and is still being treated in pediatric oncology, may still qualify for assistance
- One member of child’s medical team must apply
- There is a $2,000 cap per family.
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.
Dream Foundation
Contact: 888-437-3267Population served: Any adult, age 18 years or older in the U.S. who has received a year or less prognosis, and cannot financially afford their dream or wish themselves
Other language(s): SpanishMission:
Dream Foundation grants final dreams from the heart for adults with a life-limiting illness.
- General application for adults with a life limiting illness and a life expectancy of one year or less
- Dreams for Multiple Myeloma is a program dedicated specifically to adults with multiple myeloma and limited treatment options available
- Dreams for Veterans is a national program that honors our nation’s veterans and their families during their end-of-life journey with the realization of a dream come true
- Hospice professionals may apply for adults with a life limiting illness and a life expectancy of one year or less
- Flower Empower is a volunteer-driven program that delivers hope and compassion - in the form of beautiful bouquets - to those in need. Volunteers then make deliveries to hospitals, hospices, cancer centers and personal residences. In addition to abundant bouquets, flower recipients enjoy fresh-baked cookies, fine chocolates and cards handmade by school children
- Toy Program provides toys to the children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews or younger siblings that are present in the Dream Recipient's life. The toys are sent to the Dream Recipient who then gives the toys to the children.
Grahamtastic Connection
Contact: 207-324-0888 ext. 210Population served: Critically ill children, age 4 to 18 years, living in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut or New York
Mission:
To provide free laptops, tablets, and robotics to seriously ill children for educational purposes.
- Provides laptops and other technology to children during treatment so they can continue their education and connect with their teachers as well as with family, friends, and medical providers
- Professional from child’s medical team must submit request.
Hopecam
Contact: 703-364-5609Population served: Children in treatment for cancer in grades Pre-K through 12
Mission:
Overcome the social isolation of children in treatment for cancer through technology
- Connects homebound children to their classmates and family at no cost to the participant or school via web cameras, internet and laptops.
- Child must be in active treatment and in grade Pre-K through 12th grade
Make-A-Wish America
Contact: 800-722-9474Population served: Children with life-threatening medical conditions that have reached the age of 2½ and are under the age of 18 at the time of referral. Children must be referred within one year of the end of treatment. Children must not have already have had a wish granted by any other wish granting organization.
Other language(s): SpanishMission:
The mission of Make-A-Wish America is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
- Every wish experience is driven by the wish child’s interests, creativity and personality.
- Healthcare professionals, parents, legal guardians, family members and potential wish recipients can initiate the referral inquiry process.
- The child's treating physician will be contacted to determine whether the child meets our eligibility criteria at the time they are referred.
Memories Live
Contact: 646-245-1698Population served: Individuals in the US with a terminal illness or end-stage disease
Mission:
To help people with life-limiting illnesses preserve their images, stories and wisdom by creating personalized movies to pass on to their loved ones.
- Creates unique legacy movies at no cost to families. The final product is an edited movie saved on a USB drive and mailed to the family.
Nikolas Ritschel Foundation
Contact: Website onlyPopulation served: Young adult cancer patients ages 18-24 in the US
Mission:
To provide enrichment opportunities and encouragement to young adult cancer patients
- Apply online to request a wish for respite, travel, technology or other needs.
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).
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.
Warrior Horses
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Children and adolescents ages 2 -19 years with cancer in the US
Mission:
To bring joy and a unique experience to pediatric cancer patients by matching them with a "warrior" horse.
- Matches pediatric cancer patients with a horse that participates in the show ring. Patients may visit their horse in person or virtually, and follow the horse’s journey in competitions.