Resources and Collaborations
Resource Table
| Non-Profit Organization | Mission | What They Do | Who They Serve | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian Cancer Foundation | AICAF empowers Native communities by fostering a sense of ownership over solutions grounded in their wisdom. We provide support to facilitate this process, backing innovative, community-based interventions that engage our people in discovering their own cancer best practices. This collaborative approach has positioned AICAF as a trusted partner and resource. | AICAF provides American Indian communities with the tools and resources to navigate the Cancer Continuum in a way that respects their traditions. They believe the American Indian people deserve culturally-competent resources and the ability to understand research to make informed decisions while staying connected to their cultural identity. | American Indian / Alaska Native people facing cancer | info@AICAF.org |
| Bright Spot Network | Bright Spot Network provides young cancer survivors who are parents of small children with a safe space for individual and familial healing, recovery, and reconnection, with a focus on young parents and guardians caring for young children at the time of diagnosis, including those diagnosed during pregnancy. | Provide books for children, workshops for children whose parents have cancer, support groups for patients who have cancer who have young children under the age of 10. | Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers who have young children under the age of ten. Bright Spot Network serves families where a parent, or primary caregiver, of a preschool-age kid (ages 0-10 or pregnant at the time of diagnosis) has cancer. From diagnosis to survivorship, those in active treatment and living with cancer, understanding that a cancer “journey” can be long for the patient and their family. | carissa@brightspotnetwork.org |
| Cancer Care | CancerCare® is the leading national organization dedicated to providing free, professional support services including resource navigation, counseling, support groups, educational workshops, publications and financial assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by master’s-prepared oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts. | Support groups, financial assistance, story sharing, | Anyone in the United States affected by cancer | Call 800-813-HOPE (4673) to speak with an oncology social worker or email info@cancercare.org |
| Cactus Cancer Society | Cactus Cancer Society’s mission is to provide a safe space where young adults (ages 18-45) facing cancer can connect, cope, and thrive with one another in an online community through creativity and expression. Our vision is to end isolation among young adults facing cancer. | Provide online workshops with a creative coping focus to young adults facing cancer, ages 18-45, in the United States and beyond. With everything from book clubs, LEGO workshops, Guys’ Discussion Group, and journaling with a certified journal therapist, there’s something for everyone. | Young adults, 18-45, patients, survivors, caregivers / co-survivors, facing cancer. | programs@cactuscancer.org, aerial@cactuscancer.org |
| Camp Kessem | Camp Kesem believes all children facing a parent’s cancer deserve the chance to fully experience the joys of childhood and be their best selves. | Camp Kesem provides free summer camps, day programs, and virtual meet-ups for youth and adolescents facing a parent’s cancer to connect with peers, process their experiences, and have fun. | Youth and adolescents facing a parent’s cancer | support@kesem.org |
| Cancer and Careers | Cancer and Careers empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their workplace, by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events. | Cancer and Careers helps more than 470,000 people each year — online, in print and in person — by providing valuable information and resources via expert advice, interactive tools and educational events. | Anyone whose cancer experience overlaps with their employment journey—whether you’re a patient, survivor, caregiver, employer, HR lead, or part of a healthcare team. Their mission is to help you navigate diagnosis, treatment, leave, accommodations, return-to-work, and career transitions with confidence and clarity. | cancerandcareers@cew.org |
| Cancer Support Community | We strive to improve medical outcomes and create better experiences for patients, survivors, caregivers, and families impacted by cancer. | CSC offers a variety of programs and services, including: support groups, educational programs, one-on-one support for patients, survivors and caregivers, education and resources, community building, financial assistance, and advocacy to name a few. | Anyone affected by cancer, including patients, caregivers, family members, and friends | 888-793-9355 for free personalized navigation for anyone impacted by cancer, or complete our contact form or explore other ways to get in touch. |
| Dear Jack | The Dear Jack Foundation provides impactful programs benefiting adolescents and young adults (AYA) diagnosed with cancer and their families to improve their quality of life from treatment to survivorship. | Through programs and strategic partnerships, Dear Jack addresses the physical and emotional needs of AYA cancer patients, survivors and their families. One-on-one patient support and wellness programs allow the Dear Jack Foundation to empower patients, survivors and their caregivers in their healing and to provide assurance that they are not alone in their cancer journey. | AYA cancer patients, survivors and their families | info@dearjackfoundation.org |
| Elephants and Tea | E and T’s mission is to help adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, survivors, and caregivers know they are not alone in their experience with cancer. The Elephant in the room is cancer. Tea is the relief conversation provides. | Elephants and Tea is the only magazine written for and by the AYA cancer community, telling their story in their own words. | Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, survivors, and caregivers | info@elephantsandtea.org |
| Epic Experience | Epic Experience empowers adult cancer survivors and thrivers to live beyond cancer. | Epic Experience’s pinnacle program is a free weeklong adventure camp in the Colorado Rockies. Throughout the week, as participants challenge themselves physically, find community with other survivors, and talk through fears and worries, they gain hope and return home with tools and support to help them live and thrive beyond cancer. | Adult cancer patients, survivors, and thrivers | info@epicexperience.org |
| Escape | Escape’s mission is to provide a sense of Escape for LGBTQIA+ Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers. | A platform for LGBTQIA+ Cancer and Health organizations to share about their work, a blog for LGBTQIA+ folx to share their experiences as patients, survivors, and caregivers, a secret support group for LGBTQIA+ cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers on Facebook (not searchable to reduce the risk of being outed), Zoom events to connect the community globally, information on cancer patient care for Transgender and LGBQIA+ folx and how to advocate for yourself as an LGBTQIA+ cancer patient. | LGBTQIA+ Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers | escape.yac@gmail.com |
| Family Reach | Family Reach helps people with cancer afford everyday needs like food and housing during treatment. Our work advocates for the people behind the diagnosis and envisions a world where no one has to choose between their health and their home. | Family Reach has spent nearly three decades helping people with cancer meet their basic needs — food, housing, transportation, and utilities. Continuous measurement and evaluation help us understand where our funds go, how our support impacts cancer experiences, and who we’re reaching with support. | Family Reach is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between cancer patients and their treatment — such as loss of income, increased out-of-pocket expenses, and socioeconomic factors. When faced with these financial barriers, families have to make impossible decisions like choosing between paying for treatment or basic essentials like housing, food, and transportation. No family should have to choose between their health and their home — and we won’t stop until that’s the reality. | gethelp@familyreach.org |
| First Descents | First Descents provides life-changing, outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. | First Descents provides outdoor adventures for young adults living with and surviving cancer and other serious health conditions, and those in service to them. Our service demographic includes: Oncology, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), MS/Oncology Healthcare Workers, and MS/Oncology Caregivers. Oncology – Participants must have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 to 39 and must currently be between the ages of 18-45. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – Participants must have been diagnosed with MS between the ages of 15 to 39 and must currently be between the ages of 18-45. Healthcare Workers – Participants must currently be between the ages of 18-45 and work within the healthcare industry serving MS and/or oncology patients. MS/Oncology Caregivers – Participants must currently be between the ages of 18-45 and have cared for an individual who qualifies for our Oncology or MS programs. Eligible individuals may only have ONE caregiver apply for our Programs. First Descents Program offerings include Core Programs and Community Adventures. Core Programs are limited to folks who have not yet attended one, and live in the United States or Canada. Community Adventures are experiences created and facilitated by FD alumni and members of the FD community which are open to anyone in the FD community including friends and family (18+). | For oncology, participants must have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 to 39 and must currently be between the ages of 18-45. | info@firstdescents.org |
| Gilda’s Club | Gilda’s Club’s mission is to uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. | Gilda’s Club Chicago complements medical care with FREE, diverse programing, including virtual and in-person activities for easy community access. We’ve witnessed the profound impact of connecting individuals and families navigating cancer. Our services provide a secure space for sharing experiences, fostering understanding, and promoting emotional well-being. Gilda’s Club programing is for all ages (including children and teens), gender identities, ethnicities, cancer types, and religious beliefs. | We know cancer doesn’t discriminate, so Gilda’s Club is for EVERYONE impacted by cancer across gender identity, age, ethnicity, cancer type, immigration status, and religious belief. (They have several locations spanning various states including: Chicago, Illinois / New York City / Detroit, Michigan / Twin Cities, Minnesota / Quad Cities / South Florida / Grand Rapids, Michigan / Louisville, Kentucky / Middle Tennessee / South Jersey / Kansas City, Missouri / Greater Philadelphia / St. Louis, Missouri / Rochester, New York / Toronto, Ontario, Canada / Madison, Wisconsin.) | Gilda’s Club is an associate of Cancer Support Community, and more information can be found by contacting 888-793-9355. |
| I’m Not Done Yet | I’m Not Done Yet helps adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors live their lives the way they deserve to. | I’m Not Done Yet supports AYA cancer patients and survivors across the country through our 4 core initiatives, delivered through a variety of programs and services. (Fertility preservation, peer connection and psychosocial support, fitness and wellness, and blood drives) | AYA cancer patients and survivors | efmenges131@gmail.com |
| Imerman’s Angels | Our mission is to provide comfort and understanding for all cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers through a personalized, peer-to-peer mentorship program with someone who has been there. For people facing the shock, fear and uncertainties of cancer, Imerman Angels provide a nurturing space to ask questions, laugh, cry and share. Our services are free to anyone seeking support, connection and community. | Imerman Angels provides FREE personalized one-on-one cancer support for cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers. Imerman Angels is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. | Cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers | https://imermanangels.org/contact/ |
| Kits2Heart | To bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time. | Kits to Heart gives thoughtfully designed, curated cancer care kits to patients and their caregivers. Kits are shipped directly to families nationwide and dropped off at hospitals and cancer centers. Kits to Heart also provides an innovative Art for Cancer Wellness Program to address the issue of loneliness and help patients, caregivers, and oncology healthcare workers heal through art. | Anyone affected by cancer | info@kitstoheart.org |
| OncoBallet | The Onco-Ballet Foundation’s mission is to provide free ballet classes to anyone in the cancer community. | Offers low to no cost ballet classes to those facing cancer through donor funding. Oncoballet believes that dancing together in community through ballet movement is a big part of ones healing journey as it can help you get out of your mind and into your body. | Anyone in the cancer community | info@oncoballet.org |
| Pickles | Pickles Group’s mission is to provide free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids and teens impacted by their parent or guardian’s cancer. | Family Support Kits – A booklet and guide to help you talk about your cancer diagnosis with your kids / Webinars for Parents – Public webinars supporting parents in talking about cancer with their kids / Monthly In-Person Youth Meetings – Fun in-person programming and gatherings in the Chicago area for kids ages 6-18 / 5-Week Virtual Youth Programming – Fun art and play based group meetings and peer support for youth age 6-18 online and open to kids nationwide | Kids and teens impacted by their parent or guardian’s cancer | contact@picklesgroup.org |
| Project Koru | Project Koru enriches lives through community and the outdoors as a way to move forward beyond cancer. Our goal is to help survivors reclaim and rediscover the best version of their life and themselves. Project Koru strives to be equitable and inclusive to all AYA cancer survivors. | Camp Koru is a free outdoor, adventure, wellness, and community program that helps young adult cancer survivors (ages 19-39) find healing and renewal beyond cancer. | AYA cancer survivors | https://www.projectkoru.org/contact |
| Sam Fund – Expect Miracles Foundation | Expect Miracles Foundation (EMF) rallies the financial services industry and beyond to invest in life-saving cancer research while advancing the ɀnancial and emotional health of people impacted by cancer. | Sam Fund provides financial assistance for young adult cancer survivors | YA Cancer Survivors | info@expectmiraclesfoundation.org |
| Small Choices Foundation | The Small Choices Foundation is dedicated to improving the cancer journey for adult patients and their caregivers by empowering them with the ability to choose the kind of help they need during their hospital stay and providing the opportunity to join others facing similar paths. | Various programs that involve support for adult patients and their caregivers by providing them with donated gifts during their hospital stay | Adult inpatient cancer patients and their caregivers, currently being treated for a cancer diagnosis, 18 years or older, affected by one or more of the following: extended inpatient stay / difficult economic circumstances / difficult emotional circumstances / severe side effects/treatment is far from patient’s home | kate@smallchoicesfoundation.org |
| Stupid Cancer | Stupid Cancer is the leader in building the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer community, ending isolation, and making cancer suck less. | All of Stupid Cancer’s programs are designed to connect AYAs by gaining access to critical information and resources to improve quality of life with and after cancer. Health Equity Initiative is a 3-year initiative to develop a strategic action plan that addresses the needs of AYAs in historically marginalized groups relating to their experiences during diagnosis, treatment, and/or support. Discussion Series sessions run over 4-6 weeks allow participants to engage in sustained, meaningful conversation with each other in a structured setting, led by trained professionals. Webinars are educational sessions on topics important to the young adult cancer community, hosted live by experts each month and available to watch here anytime. Meetups are social gatherings that bring together the adolescent and young adult community, online or in person, to connect with other patients, survivors, caregivers, and professionals that get it. Stupid Cancer Stories share experiences and connect peers through the power of storytelling at intimate open mic events. CancerCon is Stupid Cancer’s annual conference which brings together hundreds of patients, survivors, caregivers, and professionals for a weekend of breakout sessions, keynote speakers, and social activities. | AYA Cancer community, 15-39 | contact@stupidcancer.org |
| Tigerlily Foundation | To educate, advocate for, empower, and support young women, before, during, and after cancer. | Through Tigerlily’s programs, they seek to educate and empower women of all backgrounds, including those at heightened risk, those facing health disparities, and those with less access to care. Tigerlily strives to improve the quality of life and end isolation among cancer survivors. Most importantly, we encourage and endeavor to empower women at every stage of their health journey, and to show them that they are not alone, but are beautiful, strong like the tiger and the lily, and that they can be transformed – during and after cancer. | Tigerlily Foundation is focused on supporting young women (age 15 – 50) before, during, and after cancer. Our outreach is focused on the breast cancer community as a whole. This community consists of family, friends, health advocates, physicians, researchers, and more. | info@tigerlilyfoundation.org |
| TOUCH The Black Breast Cancer Alliance | Touch, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance drives the collaborative efforts of patients, survivors, advocates, advocacy organizations, health care professionals, researchers and pharmaceutical companies to work collectively, with accountability, towards the common goal of eradicating Black Breast Cancer. | TOUCH BBCA provides culturally tailored education, advocacy, and support programs designed specifically for Black women affected by breast cancer. Their initiatives focus on clinical trial access, survivorship support, health equity, and awareness. | Touch serves Black women and individuals of African descent affected by breast cancer, with a specific focus on those facing systemic disparities in diagnosis, treatment, clinical research, and survivorship. | info@touchbbca.org |
| Triage Cancer | Triage Cancer® is a national, nonprofit organization that provides free education on the legal and practical issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers, through events, materials, and resources. | Triage Cancer advocates for the health care, financial, insurance, employment, and consumer rights of those diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers. Triage Cancer® also works to address cancer-related health disparities through the delivery of cancer-related education, collaborative education, and cancer advocacy. By educating and advocating they ensure that those diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers are empowered to find their best path forward, beyond diagnosis. | Anyone diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers | info@triagecancer.org |
| True North Treks | Our mission is to support young adults and caregivers affected by cancer to “find direction through connection.” One of the primary ways we do this is by taking groups on free backpacking and canoeing treks in beautiful and remote wilderness destinations where they can engage in three crucial connections that are missing from conventional cancer care: 1) connection with nature (after going through something as unnatural as cancer treatment), 2) connection with peers who have walked a similar path, and 3) connection with oneself through mindful awareness practices, such as meditation and yoga. Beyond our treks, we offer free online mindfulness meditation classes twice a month, we organize race teams at different Spartan events across the country to promote mind-body health and fellowship, we raise awareness for the plight, fight, and might of young adults and caregivers affected by cancer through screening our documentary short film, and we provide free health promotion coaching and support to all of our alumni. | Beyond TNT treks, TNT offer free online mindfulness meditation classes twice a month, organizes race teams at different Spartan events across the country to promote mind-body health and fellowship, raises awareness for the plight, fight, and might of young adults and caregivers affected by cancer through screening TNT’s documentary short film, and provides free health promotion coaching and support to all of TNT alumni. | Young adults and caregivers affected by cancer | info@truenorthtreks.org |
| Twistout Cancer | Twist Out Cancer uses creative arts programming to provide social and emotional support to those who have been affected by cancer. | Twist Out Cancer’s core program, Brushes with Cancer, improves the quality of life for survivors, previvors, caregivers and loved ones through a unique art experience. Twist Out Cancer programs utilize the arts as a mechanism for healing. All programs afford participants a chance to share their cancer experience and to be heard. Through these unique expressions and connections, a vital support community grows. | Anyone touched by cancer | https://twistoutcancer.org/contact-us/ |
| United Colors of Cancer | The mission of United Colors of Cancer is to increase the number of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) cancer survivors, and to find a cure. We are not disease-specific. Our aim is to engage the entire cancer space in pursuit of better health outcomes and to provide a central platform for all cancer organizations around the world to connect and collaborate. | UCC programs provide support, education, advocacy, and data initiatives | Cancer survivors, previvors (those at increased risk but not yet diagnosed), caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community advocates within BIPOC communities, regardless of cancer type. | info@unitedcolorsofcancer.org |
| YA Cancer Gabfest | You are the expert in your own care, so along with experts in the field, YA Cancer Gabfest combines and elevates the individual voices of the young adult cancer community. | A week of interactive survivorship crash courses for facing cancer, to share, explore, and learn as we interact together around the common paths of young adult cancer. Use what you learn to amplify your own survivorship by building connections and community to navigate young adult cancer survivorship. | Young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers along with the researchers, healthcare providers, and nonprofit professionals who care for them | programs@cactuscancer.org |
| YASU | YASU helps young adult cancer survivors and caregivers/co-survivors cope and thrive by providing emotional, social, and financial support; the comprehensive care model that enhances their quality of life. | Young Adult Survivors United (YASU) offers holistic support programs for young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers, focusing on emotional, financial, social, and spiritual well-being. Their offerings include support groups, financial assistance, wellness services, monthly essential item distribution, social events, a digital care platform, and retreats like Cancer Camp and Rae of Hope respite experiences—all designed to foster connection, joy, and relief during and after cancer. | Young adult cancer survivors and caregivers/co-survivors | https://yasurvivors.org/contact/ |
| Young Survival Coalition | Young Survival Coalition (YSC) strengthens the community, addresses the unique needs, amplifies the voice and improves the quality of life of young adults affected by breast cancer, locally, nationally and internationally. | YSC empowers young breast cancer communities with emotional support, vital knowledge, advocacy training, and wellness opportunities. | Young adults affected by breast cancer | https://youngsurvival.org/contact-us |