National Organizations & Websites

The mission of AACR is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication and collaboration.

The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of quality comprehensive quality care. The CoC is the only multidisciplinary accreditation program for cancer programs in the United States. Currently more than 1500 programs are accredited by the CoC. For a list of programs please visit the CoC Hospital Locator at http://www.facs.org/cancerprogram/index.html.

Provides information about cancer prevention, particularly through diet and nutrition; featuring a toll-­free nutrition hotline, pen pal support network and research funding.

Helpline through which cancer patients, caregivers and advocacy organizations may obtain referrals for local counseling services throughout the United States. This referral program aims to connect cancer patients and their caregivers to psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers and counselors skilled in the management of cancer-related distress.

Provides resources for healthcare providers but includes patient­-friendly tools such as help finding an oncologist, and up­-to­date information about cancer policy issues.

Provides assistance to patients and their physicians in the search for an unrelated stem cell donor. Provides general information about the stem cell transplant process, the search process, financial issues associated with the transplantation process and Patient Advocacy.

The mission of C-­Change is to eliminate cancer as a public health problem, at the earliest possible time, by leveraging the expertise and resources of its members. C-­Change is both a forum and a catalyst for identifying issues and major challenges facing the cancer community and for initiating collaborative actions to complement the efforts of individual C­-Change members. C-­Change focuses on advocacy, strategic initiatives and research. Free toolkits and resources available.

Cancer and Careers is a national nonprofit that empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their workplace, by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events. Its free services include a comprehensive website and library of publications in English and Spanish; legal and insurance information; career coaching; resume review; professional development micro-grants; and national events and workshops for people with cancer and their healthcare providers, coworkers and employers.

For Spanish speakers: www.cancerandcareers.org/espanol

Answers for cancer related questions.

A national nonprofit agency that offers free support, information, financial assistance and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. Services are available in person, over the phone and through the agency’s website. Spanish language help available.

Provides support to cancer patients and their families by matching them with trained volunteers who have undergone and recovered from a similar cancer experience.

A toll-free national service provided by AMC Cancer Research Center. Provides emotional support, up-to-date medical information and resource referrals through counseling. Available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST.

Provides free psychological and emotional support to cancer patients and their families. They offer support groups on stress reduction and cancer education workshops‚ nutrition guidance‚ exercise sessions and social events.

The patient information website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology provides timely, oncologist­-approved information to help patients and families make informed healthcare decisions.

Cancer101’s mission is to empower cancer patients and their caregivers to take control over their diagnoses and engage them as active partners in their care, by arming them with a toolkit to navigate their cancer journey.

CancerCare provides free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones and the bereaved. CancerCare programs including counseling and support groups, education, financial assistance and practical help are provided by professional oncology social workers and are completely free of charge.

Since 1985, Cancervive has provided counseling, education and advocacy to cancer patients, family members and health professionals. Popular education materials include books, DVDs and games.

Scott Hamilton’s site focuses on chemotherapy—managing side effects, survivor experiences and more.

Mission: to improve the quality of life and survival of cancer patients by increasing participation in cancer clinical trials. Features a tool to search for current trials.

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care.

CURE quarterly magazine is available free of charge to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. Subscribers receive clear and comprehensive information in order to better understand cancer. Additionally, CURE, in association with the American Cancer Society, publishes an annual Cancer Resource Guide, which is sent to every new subscriber. CURE will also send free magazines for your support groups, community events, churches, etc.

CureSearch for Children’s Cancer is a 501(c)3 U.S.-based non-profit foundation that accelerates the search for cures for children’s cancer by driving innovation, overcoming research barriers and solving the field’s most challenging problems. We fight every day to make new, better treatments possible for the 43 children diagnosed with cancer each day.

We do this by:

• Catapulting strong medical research through the research pipeline to advance better, less-toxic children’s cancer treatments

• Breaking down barriers and convening the right players to focus on our shared goal: saving kids NOW

• Providing resources and education, so no child faces a cancer diagnosis without a fully-equipped support team

Promotes health awareness to the underserved Latino community by providing ethnic­specific education with a focus on early detection screening of breast and cervical cancer, as well as other chronic diseases. Resources for hosting a Health Fiesta.

Our company was founded by Carol Galland, a breast cancer survivor, and her daughter over 20 years ago. We are devoted to helping people with hair loss due to cancer or chemotherapy treatments to look and feel beautiful while battling their hair loss. Our products include soft hats and scarves, sleep caps, wigs, false eyelashes and eyebrows, as well as other hard to find hair loss products. We have also created a vast resource library with a myriad of helpful cancer and hair loss tips and informational articles. We cover topics such as “How to Select Your Wig” and what to look for in a head covering.

ICC promotes policies, programs, partnerships, and research to eliminate the unequal burden of cancer among racial and ethnic minorities and medically underserved populations in the US.

Focuses its activities on: survivor resources and support, survivorship programs, national advocacy initiatives, scientific and clinical research grants. A particularly useful tool is the Livestrong Guidebook which functions as a workbook and provides information that is needed from the time of diagnosis through cancer treatment and beyond—free through website.

Provides up­to­date information on all cancer types, information on clinical trials, resources for people dealing with cancer, and information for researchers and health professionals.

The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s) Cancer Information Service (CIS) is a federally funded cancer education program that was established in 1975 as an essential part of NCI’s mission and information efforts. The CIS provides accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information on cancer that is easy to understand. Information specialists provide personalized responses to a range of cancer questions, including cancer research and clinical trials, cancer prevention, risk factors, symptoms, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, living with cancer, and quitting smoking.

A network of groups and individuals that offer support to cancer survivors and their loved ones. Offers the Cancer Survival Toolbox, a free, self-­learning audio program designed to help people cultivate important skills to better meet and understand the challenges of their illness.

The NCCN Guidelines for Patients™ aim to help people with cancer and their loved ones discuss the best treatment options for them with their physicians. The NCCN Website covers a wide array of cancer topics for patients, caregivers and their families.

National Volunteer Caregiving Network (NVCN) is an interfaith volunteer caregiving initiative that brings together volunteers to help people of all ages with long-term health needs to maintain their independence for as long as possible. Program availability and eligibility vary from one geographic area to another based on age, illness type and other criteria. Services are listed by state on the Website.

Affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, this website provides information about specific cancers, updates on treatments and research advances.

The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is a national nonprofit organization that serves as an active liaison between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters relative to their diagnosis through case managers, doctors and attorneys.

The foundation matches newly diagnosed cancer patients with trained‚ home-­based volunteers who have been treated for the same type of cancer. Trained volunteers (about 600) talk to patients about their cancer experience. Publications available: Fighting Cancer, Guide for Cancer Support and Cancer There’s Hope.

Provides guidelines and resources pertaining to integrative oncology, treatment and helps search for open clinical trials.

A resource on many things relating to breast health and breast cancer. Lists community health grants, scholarships, research programs and more.

An organization that facilitates a syndicated cancer talk show linking callers with patients, long­term survivors, family members, physicians, researchers and therapists. Services in English and French.