Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF)
Contact: 610-649-3034Population served: Children with cancer and their families, caregivers, young adults, healthcare professionals and researchers related to childhood cancer
Mission:
To raise money for and awareness of childhood cancer causes—especially research into new treatments and cures—and to encourage and empower others, especially children, to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer.
- Childhood Cancer Symposium is a free annual conference for families of kids with cancer.
- Travel For Care Fund offers assistance to eligible families who need financial assistance for travel for childhood cancer treatment at medical institutions in the U.S. and Canada. May include help with transportation, lodging, and meals. Applications must be received on behalf of a social worker or another medical representative.
- Childhood Cancer Treatment Journal- ALSF provides a free treatment journal (hard copy or online) to families of childhood cancer. Helps parents stay organized and keep track of important information.
- Hero Ambassador Program involves family members of childhood cancer heroes who choose to get more involved with ALSF.
- Parent to Parent Network provides the opportunity for families to connect with one another through emails, phone calls, or in person.
- Childhood Cancer Database Project aims to better understand how childhood cancer affects families. The goal is to measure the personal and economic impact of childhood cancer and find ways to support families through the journey.
- The ALSF SuperSibs program provides tools to help siblings, online activities, the opportunity to be an ambassador, and parent resources.
Athletes 4 Cancer
Contact: 415-617-5678Population served: Young adult cancer fighters and survivors (ages 18 to 39)
Mission:
To enrich young adult lives through the healing powers of the elements and the outdoors as a way to move forward after cancer.
- Camp Koru is an adventure-based retreat program offering surfing, standup paddling, outrigger canoeing, snowboarding, and other outdoor adventures.
- This is Life Young Adult Cancer Survivor Retreat offers survivorship skill and knowledge-building workshops.
Cancer Support Community (CSC)
Contact: 888-793-9355Population served: People affected by cancer in the U.S.
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 50 local affiliates and 100 satellite locations
- The Living Room - an online support community where you can connect with others 24/7
- Cancer Discussion Boards are an online resource available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and cover a variety of topics. Receive advice, support and offer tips to other people going through similar cancer experiences.
- Personal Webpage - create a private, personal webpage to help keep family and friends involved and informed. Blog, post photos or videos, and share your calendar with the people who are close to you; they can send comments and offer support or respond to your request for help as well.
- Group Loop – an online community designed to address the needs of teens (13-19) touched by cancer to connect to find support, education and hope while dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
- Frankly Speaking About Cancer – Offers workshops, publications and digital content
- Cancer Transition – an evidence-based programs for cancer survivors who have completed their treatment (in partnership with LIVESTRONG)
- Open to Options – helps patients identify important questions about treatment options based upon personal needs.
Childhood Cancer Canada Foundation
Contact: 800-489-9812Population served: Children with cancer and their families in Canada
Mission:
Dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with cancer and their families by funding research and providing support and resources.
- Provides Family Support Kit with information and support for families of newly diagnosed children
- Provides scholarships for childhood cancer survivors
- Offers a benevolent fund to assist with funeral expenses
- Provides support groups for parents and survivors
- Offers National Teen Network which allows diagnosed teens to get in touch with teen survivors who have experienced a similar type of cancer - parents can also speak to a teen or the teen's parents
- Offers national newsletters, eNews and Teleconference services
First Descents
Contact: 303-945-2490Population served: Young adults with cancer in the U.S. diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 39 years; also cancer fighters and survivors ages 40 to 49
Mission:
Offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors a free outdoor adventure experience designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same.
- Offers various levels of adventure programs such as whitewater kayaking, rock climbing or surfing. Participants cover their own cost of travel. 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.
Kids Konnected
Contact: 949-582-5443Population served: Children and teens in the U.S. who have a parent diagnosed with a cancer or who have lost a parent to cancer
Mission:
Provides "friendship, understanding, education, and support" for children and teens who have a parent with cancer or have lost a parent to cancer.
- Support groups are headed by Youth Leaders and co-facilitated by licensed professionals; they help kids share their feelings and gain strength from one another
- Karen’s Kids is a bereavement program for kids who have lost a mom or dad to cancer; the five-week program takes a child through the steps of grieving and teaches them how to cope with their tremendous loss
- Hope the Bear Care Packages are individually tailored to each family; every package includes a “Hope” teddy bear for each child in the family, plus books, workbooks, brochures, and additional information to help the family better cope with cancer
- Junior Camp is for children from 7 to12 years old; Teen Camp is for those between 13 and 18. Camps provide a fun atmosphere and an opportunity to share and connect with other peers and adults who understand what they are dealing with.
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.
Nicki Leach Foundation
Contact: 904-686-1010Population served: Young adults between 18- 30 who have been diagnosed with a life threatening, malignant medical condition.
Mission:
To provide financial assistance to young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 diagnosed with a life threatening, malignant medical condition.
- Funding may help with car payments, clothes, hair or makeup, purchasing a camera, computer, or travel costs.
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 young adults affected by cancer by building community, improving quality of life and providing meaningful survivorship.
- Formerly known as I’m Too Young For This
- Provides listings of resources as well as books, magazines and other media
- Offers online support groups, forums and message boards, social communities
- Offers “The Stupid Cancer Show” an international talk radio webcast
- Presents “The OMG! Cancer Summit for Young Adults” annual oncology conference and social networking event for the young adult cancer movement
- Offers Stupid Cancer Boot Camps - evidence-based, single-topic, one-day mini-OMG! Summits hosted in your local community
Teen Cancer America
Contact: 310-208-0400Population served: Young adults with cancer, young cancer survivors, their families and friends
Mission:
To advocate for all young people with cancer to have equal access to optimum treatment and care; to encourage and support hospitals to become centers of excellence for caring for teenagers and young adults with cancer.
- Partners with hospitals around the country to provide strategic guidance to establish specialist units and services for the teenage and young adult community.
- Develops educational materials to help students, educators and employers learn about cancer and support young people.
The National CML Society (NCMLS)
Contact: 877-431-2573Population served: Patients living with CML and their families
Mission:
To bring hope to individuals living with CML through educational resources, access to CML specialists, and a living, breathing network of others that can share their personal CML experiences and successes.
- CML Connection Program provides a patient support network
- Facilitates peer-to-peer matching
- Provides referrals for caregivers, counseling, patient assistance programs, respite, blood and marrow drives
- Offers Ask The CML Expert online portal
- Sponsors educational events, wellness programs and retreats.
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.
Young Cancer Spouses
Contact: Website onlyPopulation served: Young adult spouses of people coping with cancer
Mission:
To bring together young spouses of adults with cancer to share information, support, and experiences.
- Free resources
- Online support groups