U.S. and Canada
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Because we want to be sure that our visitors find the most relevant resources, we've listed these organizations in order of relevancy from most specifically relevant to most generally relevant to the topic of this page.
American Medical Association (AMA)
Contact: (800) 621-8335
Population served: Doctors, patients, AMA members and medical students in the United States
AMA helps doctors help patients by uniting physicians to work on professional and public-health issues.
- Offers resources regarding CPT codes, medical ethics and standards, CME's, insurance
- Offers a Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement
- Offers a "Doc Finder," educational resources, health information and "iHealthRecord" (an online interactive and confidential record that stores a patient's information and can be accessed by the doctor)
CLL Global Research Foundation (CLLGRF)
Population served: Patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals with an interest in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
CLLGRF aims to accelerate research in CLL with the goal of finding a cure for CLL as quickly as possible. The Foundation is built on a partnership between patients, their families, the research community and other investors who want to see a cure for CLL.
- Offers education information about the disease and its treatment
- Provides information about CLLGRF's funded research
Medical Library Association (MLA)
Contact: (312) 419-9094
Population served: Members of the health sciences information field worldwide
MLA is an educational organization of more than 1,100 institutions and 3,600 individual members in the health sciences information field, committed to educating health professionals, supporting health research and promoting access to health sciences information.
- Helps to increase visibility as an information management professional
- Provides discounts on books, meeting registration and courses
- Provides information to develop leadership skills
- Offers networking with colleagues
- Provides access to the latest medical information and research
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
Contact: 41 22 809 1811 (Headquarters in Switzerland)
Population served: Healthcare professionals worldwide
UICC is a nongovernmental association with member organizations working in cooperation as expert groups and task forces.
- Offers grant money for fellowships and training opportunities
- 280 member organizations in over 90 countries
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Contact: (571) 483-1300
Population served: Physicians and healthcare professionals who represent all oncology disciplines worldwide
ASCO is committed to advancing the education of oncologists and other oncology professionals, advocating for policies that provide access to high-quality cancer care and supporting the clinical trials system and the need for increased clinical and translational research. ASCO is a membership organization.
For U.S. members, ASCO offers:
- A subscription to two oncology journal publications
- An annual meeting
- Sponsorship of abstracts for its annual meeting
- Discounts on all ASCO professional, educational and scholarly publications
- An increase in professional knowledge and enhancement of quality of care
- Access to professional development tools
For international members, ASCO offers:
- Oncology courses
- Meetings
- Grants and awards
- Licensing opportunities
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
Contact: (215) 690-0300
Population served: Medical professionals in the United States
NCCN is an alliance of 21 cancer centers working together to develop treatment guidelines for most cancers and dedicated to research that improves the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care.
- Produces NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology - among the most comprehensive and most frequently updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine
- Publishes NCCN News, which includes announcements about NCCN programs, educational materials, upcoming events and recent press coverage
- Offers the NCCN Oncology Research Program to identify research projects important to both NCCN member institutions and industry and to obtain funding to support clinical trials
- Sponsors meetings, education programs and mentor programs for professionals
- Produces the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium, a source of information for case managers, managed care decision makers and other healthcare professionals, which delineates uses of drugs and biologics in the care of patients with cancer
American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS)
Contact: (434) 293-5350
Population served: Healthcare professionals working in the area of psychosocial care of cancer patients in the United States
The mission is to advance the science and practice of psychosocial care for people with cancer.
- Provides a forum for professionals interested in the areas of psychosocial, social, behavioral and spiritual aspects of cancer
- Develops and implements education programs
- Develops a research agenda to be used as a guide for scientific study in the field
- Develops standards of care to assure proper care for patients by regulatory agencies
- Promotes education and training
Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW)
Contact: (215) 564-2175
Population served: Oncology social workers worldwide
AOSW is dedicated to the enhancement of psychosocial services to people with cancer and their families.
- Provides education, advocacy, networking and resource development
- Provides CME, online courses and annual conference
- Provides worldwide educational resource to locate a professional
- Provides searchable membership directory
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Contact: (800) 742-4089
Population served: A membership organization of professional social workers worldwide
NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members to create and maintain professional standards and to advance sound social policies
- Provides conferences, continuing education and a monthly newsletter
- Offers legal consultation and representation
- Offers liability and group life insurance
- Offers professional credentials and certifications
- Provides student scholarships and national awards
- Offers volunteer leadership opportunities
- Undertakes legislative advocacy and political action
Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)
Contact: (866) 257-4667
Population served: Nurses worldwide
ONS is a membership organization of over 35,000 registered nurses and other healthcare providers dedicated to patient care, education, research and administration in oncology nursing.
Membership with ONS provides:
- Full subscriptions to the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, Oncology Nursing Forum and ONS Connect
- Networking opportunities through local chapters, special interest groups and national conferences in the United States
- Access to continuing education
- The member-only section of ONS's website provides searchable, full-text articles from Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing and Oncology Nursing Forum, current oncology-related news, peer-reviewed clinical content and extensive continuing nursing education opportunities
- The ONS Student Mentoring Program, a formal mentoring program for oncology nurse professionals
- The ONS membership directory, which allows members to locate other ONS members by name, geographical area or special interest group
American Society of Hematology (ASH)
Contact: (202) 776-0544
Population served: All hematology professionals
ASH works to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders affecting the blood, bone marrow and the immunologic, hemostatic and vascular systems, by promoting research, clinical care, education, training and advocacy in hematology.
- Provides information about membership and annual meetings
- Provides links to publications and has searchable ASH publications in its Hematology Library
- Offers searches in its job bank, training and CME options
- Provides advocacy options and policy
Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses
Contact: (847) 375-4724
Population served: Pediatric hematology/oncology nurses in the United States
Promotes expert practice in pediatric hematology/oncology through:
- Continuing education
- Annual conference
- Advocacy
- Educational resources
- Networking
American Society for Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)
Contact: (800) 962-7876
Population served: Radiation oncology healthcare professionals worldwide
ASTRO is dedicated to advancing the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development and promoting research in the field.
- Offers educational courses through online learning opportunities for continuing medical education and maintenance of certification
- Offers professional development opportunities in the way of several meetings throughout the year
- Offers the publication International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics
- Offers membership to physicians including radiation oncologists, physicists and biologists, and to nonphysicians with an interest in radiation oncology
José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation
Contact: 34 902 240 480
Population served: Healthcare professionals worldwide
The mission of the Foundation is to contribute to finding a cure for leukemia and to improve the quality of patient's lives. It does this in three main areas:
- Promotes the search for bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donors through its REDMO (Bone Marrow Donor Registry) Program that carries out awareness-raising, donor recruitment and search campaigns to provide greater opportunities for cure to people with leukemia. Bone marrow searches are carried out on behalf of patients in Spain and others of any nationality within the framework of the International Bone Marrow Donors World-Wide Program
- Supports scientific research through its grants program, mainly awarded to young researchers and open to scientists from any country in the world
- Contributes to funding for transplant units and umbilical cord blood banks so that patients can benefit from the latest advances in technology
The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation (LSLF)
Contact: (212) 696-1033
Population served: Researchers investigating leukemia in the United States
- LSLF awards Discovery Grants for innovative developmental research projects.
- Supports leukemia research
Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF)
Contact: (800) 500-9976
Population served: Healthcare professionals in the United States and Canada
- LRF funds research and provides patients and healthcare professionals with information on the disease.Offers a call center
- Provides educational materials and programs
- Provides a clinical trial information service
- Provides advocacy
- Funds research internationally
Mantle Cell Lymphoma Consortium (MCLC)
Contact: (212) 349-2910
Population served: Healthcare professionals and scientists worldwide
MCLC fosters collaboration, sharing of information and laboratory resources, as well as multi-institutional recruitment of clinical trials among groups working in MCL research.
- Provides a search tool for clinical trials
- Provides a list of members (medical professionals) and the cancer center with which they are affiliated
- Offers research updates
- Provides members-only section for professionals on recent news, grant opportunities and clinical trials announcements
Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation
Contact: (248) 644-9014
Population served: People diagnosed with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and healthcare professionals worldwide
The Foundation supports patients by promoting awareness and education, advancing patient care and facilitating research.
- Offers an email list serve for medical professionals to provide research updates
- Provides news on upcoming medical meetings relevant to research and study of CTCL
- Funds research
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
Contact: (203) 229-0464
Population served: Healthcare professionals worldwide
MMRF funds research for the development of new treatments for multiple myeloma and to provide services to patients.
- Funds more than 130 research grants at more than 70 research institutions worldwide
- Selects grantees following a peer-review process
- Offers an education symposia series for medical professionals in the United States
The Myelodysplastic Syndrome Foundation (MDS Foundation)
Contact: (800) 637-0839 or (609) 298-6746 (International)
Population served: Healthcare professionals worldwide
MDS Foundation is devoted to the prevention, treatment and study of the myelodysplastic syndromes.
- Provides treatment updates
- Offers informational materials in many languages
- Provides clinician resources, books and CDs, free of charge
- Conducts symposia
Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR)
Contact: (414) 456-8325
Population served: Medical professionals in the United States
CIBMTR brings together the expertise and resources of two leaders in the field of blood and marrow transplant research: The International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry and The Autologous Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry and National Marrow Donor Program. This partnership seeks to design, conduct and support clinical studies that involve large numbers of patients from multiple transplant centers. Through research CIBMTR hopes to increase scientific knowledge of blood and marrow transplantation by:
- Retrospective studies of the world's largest blood and marrow transplant databases and tissue sample repositories
- Research in immunobiology to better understand how transplantation works including how to harness the power of the immune system to control cancer
- Prospective, multicenter trials to increase the safety and success of transplantation
- Transplant-focused biostatistics expertise to assist researchers in accessing, analyzing and presenting scientific studies
- Research to improve access to healthcare services
American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
Contact: (804) 752-0026
Population served: Sexuality educators, counselors and therapists as well as physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, allied health professionals, clergy, lawyers, students and researchers in the United States and Canada; limited international services
AASECT is available to individuals who share an interest in promoting understanding of human sexuality and healthy sexual behavior.
- Offers certification as a sexuality educator, counselor or therapist
- Offers a listing of certified educators, counselors and therapists
- Offers an annual conference for professionals
American Fertility Association (AFA)
Contact: (888) 917-3777
Population served: Adult patients and healthcare providers worldwide
AFA provides information about fertility treatments, reproductive and sexual health and family-building options, including adoption and third-party solutions.
Provides a call center
- Offers online information about options, medical treatments, coping techniques and legal/insurance issues
- Provides online education materials and eNewsletters for patients and professionals
- Provides a listing of reproductive specialists and therapists in the United States
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
Contact: (205) 978-5005
Population served: Patients and healthcare providers in the United States
ASRM is dedicated to the advancement of the art, science and practice of reproductive medicine through education, research and advocacy.
- Produces online information, fact sheets and booklets about fertility and related concerns
- Provides an online directory of M.D. or D.O. physicians who are active members of ASRM
- Provides publications on fertility insurance issues
- Provides a list of reading materials compiled for ASRM members and their patients
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Contact: (888) 644-6226 or (301) 519-3153 (International)
Population served: Healthcare professionals and anyone interested in complementary and alternative medicine worldwide
NCCAM is the federal government's lead agency for scientific research on CAM.
- Explores complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science
- Disseminates information to professionals and the public
- Provides educational materials about CAM therapies including herbs and supplements
- Offers education grant opportunities for professionals to further their knowledge of CAM
American Dietetic Association (ADA)
Contact: (800) 877-1600
Population served: Food and nutrition professionals in the United States
ADA is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.
- Sponsors The Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo annually for food and nutrition professionals
- Awards credentials to professionals at entry and specialty levels who meet standards for competency
- Publishes the Journal of the American Dietetic Association
- Works with state and federal legislators and agencies on public-policy issues affecting consumers and the practice of dietetics
- Offers consumers and professionals, seeking the services of a registered dietitian, a Web tool to find a nutrition professional
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. (NAELA)
Contact: (520) 881-4005
Population served: Elder care professionals in the United States
NAELA assists lawyers, bar organizations and others who work with older clients and their families to provide information, education, networking and assistance to deal with the specialized issues involved with legal services to seniors and people with special needs.
- Provides members-only login site for additional information and list serve
- Provides legal education programs
- Provides publications to members
- Provides advocacy on public policy and elder issues
International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC)
Contact: (866) 374-2472
Population served: Healthcare professionals worldwide, with a focus on developing countries
The mission is to collaborate and improve the quality of life of patients with advanced life-threatening conditions and their families, by advancing hospice and palliative care programs, education, research and favorable policies around the world.
- Provides educational programs
- Provides faculty development program to support RN/MD palliative care positions in developing countries, which includes traveling fellowships and scholarships
- Provides information on professional membership
- Provides a listing of hospice and palliative care journal publications
- Provides a listing of tools/resources for professionals
- Provides the Twinning Program where hospice/palliative care units can exchange information, reports, teaching materials and modules which may lead to exchange visits by staff members
CML Advocates Network
Population served: CML patients, their relatives, and healthcare professionals worldwide
CML Advocates Network is a virtual network of nonprofit organizations supporting patients and their relatives by sharing knowledge and best practice, supporting campaigns, and educating advocates how to build and grow patient groups.
The main objectives of the CML Advocates Network website are:
- To provide a worldwide Web directory of CML patient groups, to allow patient groups to find national support groups in other countries
- To provide a platform of communication for CML patient advocates, e.g., to share best practice on cancer patient advocacy
- To provide updated conference information
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC) put this in the Professional Organizations for Healthcare Providers heading under the subheading ?United States and Canada?
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC)
Website only
Population served: Cancer patients and their caregivers in the United States
CFAC is a coalition of financial assistance organizations joining forces to help cancer patients 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 linking to other organizations that can disseminate information about the collective resources of the member organizations
- Advocating on behalf of cancer patients who continue to bear financial burdens associated with the costs of cancer treatment and care
